Creon vs Karamat- Perspective on Women in Society
After our class discussion yesterday, I was thinking more about the comparison between Creon and Karamat, specifically in their treatment and views of women.
During class, I saw Creon's overt misogyny and contrasted it with what I thought was Karamat's more open viewpoint. However, Michelle brought up some good points I had forgotten about in Home Fire, where Karamat shows a similar viewpoint to Creon.
As I reflected on this, I think a conclusion that I settled on is that while their display of misogyny may be different, Shamsie uses Karamat to reflect Creon's same anti-feminist ideals, just in a more subversive sense. I think this speaks to the context of each text. In Ancient Greece, it was normalized to say women belong in the home and that men are superior. However, in modern day Britain, that is not something you can just come right out and say. Consequently, Karamat's actions, especially toward his son Eamonn, show the same biased sentiment, just less upfront. Although Karamat's views are likely not as extreme as Creon's, the historical context is what I believe is largely responsible for shaping their expression of similar views.
I also wonder if Karamat was in Creon's position—where his actions would not be as criticizes—if he would be as overtly sexist as Creon. Karamat makes some subtly sexist comments about Aneeka to Eamonn, and gets mad when his wife finds out. Clearly, to some extent Karamat censors himself. It's possible he would be overtly sexist like Creon if he was in a differnt social and political position.
ReplyDeleteHi Cassi! I agree that Karamat's misogyny is significantly more subtle than Creon's. (From what I remembered about Ancient Greece), there were city-states with strict rulers, which I think Creon might fall under. Creon's position of power allows him to speak his mind without worrying about being overthrown, since he's at the top. He can freely express his misogynistic opinions. It reminds me of current day politicians and "locker room" talk and how sometimes they do not get mainstream backlash for their statements, getting swept under the rug. I wonder if Karamat does not publicly express his opinions on women because his name is already full of controversy with his opinions on Muslims.
ReplyDeleteHey Cassi! From what I have noticed I agree with you that Creon and Karamat both have this misogyny. Something that has stood out to me from the differences between Antigone and Home Fire is that Home Fire is far more complex, but at the core still lies the story of Antigone. Perhaps Karamat's misogyny is far more subtle but it is also far more complex storyline of misogyny that is not as upfront as Creon. But they are both still essentially the same character, one is just far more complex just as modern life is.
ReplyDeleteHi Cassi! This was so interesting to read. I feel like I hadn't really considered how the time during which these were published influenced characters' thoughts and behaviors. I'll definitely keep that in mind as we continue reading pieces from different times throughout history.
ReplyDeleteHi Cassi! I found your perspective on this topic unique and interesting. I really only considered the more central comparison between them, which is them refusing a civil service to someone who abandoned the State. I didn't consider their striking similarity in how they see women in their respective communities.
ReplyDeleteHey Cassi, I agree with what you said. Shamsie having adapted the play into modern day London, probably means she also adapted the magnitude of the misogyny in society at the time of the play to the amount of misogyny in society now when creating Karamat.
ReplyDeleteHey Cassi! I think this is a strong analysis of some of the similarities between the two characters. Sometimes we look to the past to pride ourselves on how far society has come in terms of feminism, but when we find similarities between the misogynistic attitudes of two men thousands of years apart, it really calls that into question. I'll for sure be on the lookout for more perspectives on women as we continue to read Antigone!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Cassi! The difference of cultures makes Creon's misogyny seem a lot worse, when in reality I would argue that Karamat is just as bad. Either way, both of these leaders behave in ways inappropriate. It's interesting to think about Karamat and Farooq, two characters that are entirely ideologically opposed, both share misogyny.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be really interesting to do some research on gender norms and roles in ancient Greece. I agree that probably the sentiments that Creon has for women were more common at the time and the Karamat is just a modern adaptation of that level of misogyny. I also think it is interesting, however, that if Creon's views on women were normal for the time that Sophocles would right a play in which a young women defies him and is painted as the hero and martyr for it.
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