Moreover these two protagonists are more alike in that their actions draw attention to them. Antigone proclaims Creon as disobeying the Gods; ”Nor did I think your edict had such a force that you, a mere mortal, could override the gods.” Which, Haemon later tells Creon that Thebes sympathizes with her. She did the right thing, and so did Ben when he began the Gordon business. He has not ever tried to make himself anything out of the ordinary. Therefore by helping Gordon, he has become a public figure, at least to the blacks in Soweto; they come to him when they are in need for help. Also the police begin to think he is becoming a dangerous man. The actions performed are supposed to make the ruler or protector to realize that there is something wrong with his or their rule, but in both cases they do not heed.
Nevertheless, Creon is a man who puts his country before everything else, even those of his own blood. He refused to honour Polynices’, his nephew, death because he betrayed Thebes and fought against them. “Never at my hands will the traitor be honoured above the patriot” (line 232-233). However he is surprised it is Antigone and asks “were you aware a decree had forbidden this?” (line 496) to make sure she had deliberately disobeyed him; he may have forgiven Antigone if she had not heard this and she repented, but she admitted to defying him. But because Antigone is a reckless child and he ends up losing everything dear to him which allows the reader to be able to sympathise with Creon.
However, the narrator of the novel does not present the Security Branch in a favourable light. They are a part of the police who are working against the communist guerrillas. Most of the members of these guerrillas are the blacks fighting for their equality. Nevertheless, the Security Branch believes that the government is doing many things for the blacks, thus disappointed in them for fighting against the government. “Look at everything the Government’s doing for them and all they can think of in return is to burn down and destroy whatever they can lay their hands on” (p. 62). Furthermore they seem to believe that they are actually protecting the citizens of chaos and destruction. ”People don’t seem to realize we’re in the middle of a war already. […] Take it from me, Mr. Du Toit: if we were to lay off for one week this country would be right down the drain.” (p. 207)
Despite their good intentions, there are reasons to dislike the Branch and Creon. The police by choose to conceal facts such as the cause of deaths of Jonathan and Gordon. They are blinded by the vision of wiping all of the rebels and having a perfect segregated society. This leads them to become inhumane and torture any blacks who are nosing in their business. But to whites they are a little more civilized. “I[Stoltz] want you[Ben] to know that we have all the time in the world. We can turn this whole house upside down if we want to” (p. 157) somewhat like what they did to Gordon. However for Creon it is not the colour that matters, but the sex. He finds Antigone’s crime even more offensive because she is a woman; “While I’m alive, no woman is going to lord it over me” (line 593-594).
To correct Creon’s wrongdoings Haemon and Tiresias advise the king. Haemon is engaged to Antigone and the son of Creon, giving some authority to speak against his father. Even Leader points out “you’ll do well, my lord, if he’s speaking to the point, to learn from him” (line 810-811). However Creon feels insulted merely seeing it at his son protecting his fiancée and goes as far as to call him a “woman’s slave” (line 848) reinforcing the belief that women are inferior. Furthermore during his conversation with Haemon, he bursts out angrily and emotionally; “And is Thebes about to tell me how to rule?” (line 821). Tiresias is a seer “who helped you[Creon] save the city” (line1174). He comes with the news of the Gods not accepting their offerings. Also he prophesizes Haemon’s death: “before you have surrendered one born of your own loins, your own flesh and blood, a corpse for corpses given in return” (line 1183-1185). Creon is deeply disturbed but is still hesitant to take action, though Leader persuades him to listen to the seer and “free the girl” (like 1224).
Whilst there was a balance between Creon and Antigone, the Security Branch is indicated as the ones that are wrong in their philosophy. Modern fundamentals include democracy, a right given to all, no matter their race. Therefore it is natural for the reader to feel contempt towards the police. However, Antigone is an insolent teenager who does not think of the consequences and seems to want to glorify herself. “Give me glory! What more glory could I win than to give my own brother decent burial?” (line 561-562). Nevertheless Creon is a sexist who ignores the Gods will. Thus the Greek audience would have debated the themes that still apply today.
In conclusion, the time and setting in the two works are important factors when their theme is involved. In ancient Greece there was a form of primitive democracy however the right was not given to all, no women could vote. Even since then men thought themselves superior. “Antigone” is one of the first literary works that deal with feminism. Antigone does what she wishes and will not be put down by a man. During the apartheid, there were many inequalities which “A Dry White Season” illustrates. People would like to think that these problems have faded in the modern day era, however some factors that can be related to still remain a problem.
