Gender in Antigone, the Wizard of Oz, and the Wicked - Essay Example

Gender in Antigone, The Wizard of Oz, and The Wicked Antigone, The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and The Wizard of Oz are important pieces of literary work in the study of gender roles, socialization of gender and gender conflicts. This paper will use qualitative study approaches to analyze the representation of gender in the three pieces of literary work. The paper will present Antigone and outline gender in the Greece legend. The paper will also outline witch hunt and patriarchy in addition to explaining the status of females within the society. The paper will compare the good and wicked witches in The Wizard of Oz. In the presentation of The Wizard of Oz, the paper will analyze changes in female thoughts and social position. The paper will also present The Life of the Wicked Witch of the West and argue about feminism in the U.S. Gender in Antigone, The Wizard of Oz, and The Wicked Gender plays a crucial role in literature. Literary works such as Antigone, The Wizard of Oz and The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West portray women in different roles and light. In these pieces of literary work, the society influenced the roles of women and men. Sophocles’ Antigone is a Theban play that develops the Theban legend. Gender has a crucial role in the Greek legend because it affects the significance of the actions of the characters. Creon stated that he needed to defeat Antigone because she is a woman (Blundell, 2005). The Greek legend shows that women’s freedoms were limited. The wizard of Oz is a melodious made-up flick. The film has strong female leaders who possess leadership, courage and power. The witch hunts presented a period in human history when women were hunted down for perceived witchcraft. The persecution of witches was a deliberate policy of the state and church, which was executed by the male members of the society. In Oz, witches were creatures that had the powers to control magic. The good witches were the protectors of Oz while the wicked witches were the controllers (Baum, 1993). Women’s thoughts and social positions have changed over time. Women have fought for recognition and equality for many years. During the course of the agitation for equality and recognition, women have been forced to change their thoughts and position in order to deal with the problems and challenges facing their existence (Blundell, 2005). Antigone and Gender Issues in Greece Legend Antigone is a classical Greek legend that deals with four crucial questions. The first question is whether Polynices should receive burial rituals. The second inquiry is whether an individual who buried Polynices was liable for punishment because of defying the state. The third question is whether Creon deserves the throne and the last question is whether Creon’s actions are thoughtless or just (Brecht, 2000). I recommend the Greek legend because it provides insights into the Greek society and its culture. In the process of answering the four questions, a reader is able to understand the themes in the play. In the play, gender plays a crucial role because it determines actions and perceptions. In this play, females were considered to be inferior to men. The status of females in the play was equal to the status of slaves in Greece. Antigone’s gender had effects on the significance of her actions (Brecht, 2000). Her actions were defined and restricted according to the rules placed on women. Antigone’s rebellion threatened the society because it upsets gender hierarchy and roles. She refused to remain passive, but focused on overturning the fundamental rules of her society and culture. Sophocles used a female character and gave her a primary part to guarantee that the play was significant. Otherwise, Antigone’s actions would be less significant because they will be perpetrated by a man. The relations and actions of Antigone and other women in the society are guided by the roles and rules assigned to women. The perception of women as weak beings pervaded the Greek cities. Greek cities had to deal with the issues surrounding women because they were not seen as citizens. Women were not allowed to own property (Brecht, 2000). They were supposed to stay indoors, and in case they left their homes, they were supposed to be guarded by their male friends and family members. Though women were treated badly and considered inferior, people knew that women were powerful and important members of the society. The restrictions and perceptions of women impacted their life. Women were treated as slaves. The status of women during this period was an illustration of social discrepancies in Greece. Women could not own property, which means that they were devoid of the right tools for personal development. Women were seen to belong to the domestic spheres of life (Blundell, 2005). This stereotype required them to provide food for their families, raise children and perform other domestic chores. Women’s rights were limited during this period. Discontentment amongst female members of society led to the emergence of feminist ideas. Women recognized that they could fight for their rights and recognition (Blundell, 2005). This is well represented in Antigone and other plays written by Euripides, Sophocles and Aristophanes. These plays were written with an aim of highlighting women’s issues. The plays argued that women were not weak and incapable. The plays created women of intelligence, and strength, in line with the emerging feminist ideas. Witch Hunt and Patriarchy Societies in Europe and colonial America feared witches. The fear of witches led to the establishment of crude ways for dealing with people accused of witchcraft. Women who were accused of witchcraft faced cruel punishment. They were tortured until they gave their confession that they engaged in witchcraft. The perpetrators of the cruel punishments did not require any evidence and the process was not judicial (Barry, Hester, & Roberts, 2006). For two centuries, women in America and Europe had been tortured, hanged and burned alive for being accused of witchcraft. During the period of the witch-hunts, men controlled every sphere of women’s lives. Currently, females are seen as important members of society who have crucial roles to play in political, social and economic development. However, in some societies, particularly in the African and Asian societies, women are not seen as strong, active and productive members of the societies. These societies neglect and ignore the contributions of women. They also ignore the possibilities that women can be political leaders, business people and social players (Blundell, 2005). The standing of womenfolk in the social order is subject to changes. The roles of women have evolved from indoors chores to outside assignments. They have moved from simply taking care of their family members to playing active roles in the society (Barstow, 1995). Women have managed to gain independence from men. This independence has shown that women have the ability to work and become productive. It also shows the worth of women. Owing to social reforms, women have become caretakers of their homes and neighborhoods and caretakers of communities and societies. They strive to improve their living conditions while separating themselves from the control of men. They seek independence in order to accomplish their goals. The witch hunt in Europe occurred in waves, which subsided. Trials of witches began in the 15th and 16th centuries. A decline in the fear of witches followed after the trials. However, in the 17th century, witch-hunt activities peaked. Women and children were killed because they were believed to possess supernatural powers. Women accused of witchcraft were subjected to torture and burnt alive. It is vital to note that they were not subjected to a judicial process (Barstow, 1995). Witches were hunted because it was believed that they possessed their powers through association with Satan. Previously, the powers of witches were considered as supernatural abilities, which could protect people. However, during the period of the witch-hunt, witches perceptibly entered into a treaty with the devil (Maguire, 1995). The witch-hunt was seen as a form of punishment for going against the Ten Commandments. Witches were subjected to torture after they were accused of killing their family members and causing harm to the society. The witch-hunts influenced society’s way of thinking. It also changed the position of females, and their ways of thinking. The witch-hunts changed the social determinants of a witch. Old women with sullen cheeks were labeled as witches. Additionally, women could be accused of witchcraft because of a broken relationship or friendship (Barstow, 1995). During this period, only females practiced witchcraft. However, after the death of thousands of women, men were forced to start practicing. Women were also forced to align their thoughts to the judgments of other members of the society, and to state and religious policies. Introduction of the Good Witch and Wicked Witch in Detail In the context of The Wizard of Oz, a witch refers to a creature capable of controlling magic. The good witch acts as a protector while the wicked witch is a controller of magic. Both of these witches in The Wizard of Oz are concerned with four cardinal directions. These represent the four different countries in the Land of Oz. The four countries are at liberty to choose a wicked or a good course in their respective lands. The wicked witches are subject to water. This is because the cyclone sweeps Dorothy Gale directly to the wicked witch. According to Elgin (2006), the good witch is hospitable human because she helps Dorothy get back to her home. The aspect of witchcraft led to the arraignment of many people in court. This issue has challenged professionals with regard to its origin and basis of operation. This has led to misunderstanding and fallacies regarding this witchcraft. Wendel (2007) claims all kinds of witchcraft deserve the same judicial treatment. It was normal for people to be hanged on account of the spectral appearance given that many people believed that this aspect was associated with witchcraft. According to Barry, Hester, and Roberts (2006), the non-spectral features are the ones relied upon by the jurors instead of the spectral features of a suspect. The scientists also have failed to establish a correlation of the esoteric elements to natural occurrences (Barstow, 1995). However, witchcraft also is manifested in non-spectral forms, which scientists can study and make deductions. In actual fact, this is the purpose why the courts rely on the non-spectral elements in order to draw concrete evidence prior to the prosecution of the offenders. The evidence used by the courts with regard to non-spectral appearance includes malefic witchcraft (Baum, 1993). This automatically bound a person to court charges without any negotiations. The acts of malefic witch craft ranged from mere malice to domestic conflicts. The spectral evidence was not permissible in court given that the relationship of the defendant with the devil could not be established in the courts. Although spectral appearance was believed to compromise the security of the public with regard to devilish influence, it could not provide enough evidence in court. The other evidence was the confession of participation in witchcraft practices (Baum, 1993). Many scholars have endeavored to carry out studies on this subject of witchcraft but to no avail. This is because this aspect has been compromised in some cases. Spectral aspect is believed to influence many people into devil worship. The people who have already been initiated into devil worship easily influence many. However, until they confess they cannot be tried in court. Comparison of Characteristics of the Good Witch and Wicked Witch, and the Characteristic of Witches in Social Daily Life and Custom The Good Witch The good witch is an elderly leader of the Gillis country. This witch obtained this position after she overthrew the wicked witch of the North. This witch usually puts on magic garments and a hat. She has a good demeanor and she is accommodative. This has made her to be adored by many people in the Land of Oz. This includes the Munchkins and his subjects. She always protects the underprivileged in the Land of Oz. In this respect, she clamors against any sort of oppression in Oz. Oliver (2006) asserts that the good witch is humble, especially in her submissions that she is not as strong as the Eastern wicked witch. She managed to save the gillikins from the iron fist rule of the wicked witch of the west. Orin, the good witch was born in a royal family and was later engaged with a Prince called Cheeriobed. This prince was later confronted by the wicked witch, Mombi. He did not fall into her trap. Instead, he stole Orin and converted her to a witch. This made Orin to forget everything concerning her personality as the offspring of a noble family. Later, mombi’s power declined and she was no longer as influential as she was in the past. This was manifest in her defeat in the battle between her and the good witch. According to Comaroff (2006), the good witch took all the power that the wicked witch, Mombi, had, including the power to turn people into trees. The good witch gave a decree of elimination of all the witches in existence in the land of the Gillikins. This was aimed at deterrence of future supremacy threats. After Mombi was subdued, she became a mere lowly wizardess. The good witch’s cap had the magic ability to give advice to the witch. This is evident when Dorothy needs advice on getting back to her home. The witch advised her to follow the yellow Brick road to reach the Wizard of Oz. Additionally, the kiss of the good witch was protection against any evils and misfortune. Dorothy was also given the magic shoes of the subdued wicked witch of the East. This was confirmed by the Good witch when she remarked, "No one will dare injure a person who has been kissed by the Witch of the North" (Maguire, 1995, p. 29). The good witch’s magic power was manifest in the transformation of stones into birds, lambs, girls and stones respectively. The Wicked Witch The wicked witch usually controlled over four nations of Oz. She governed the munchkin’s populace and was more powerful than the good witch of the north. However, the Good witch of the south was more powerful than her. According to Berger and Ezzy (2007), the wicked witch made her people slaves, and this was manifest in her enchantment of Nick Chopper’s axe. This axe made him cut his body, which transformed him into woodman. The cyclone led to the death of the wicked witch. Dorothy’s house was hit by the cyclone hence causing the death of the wicked witch. The wicked witch of the East is a sister to the wicked witch if the west. According to Barstow (1995), the two wicked witches are on a mission to kill all humanity because of their subjective perception that humanity exhausts their food. The wicked witch was exploitative given that she only wants food to be collected for her. According to Speare (2010), the wicked witch’s food constituted of snakes, leeches, and spiders. This lifestyle made even her subjects to be afraid of him. The wicked witch of the East is beautiful, but is handicapped. She does not have arms and is paraplegic. In this respect, she has ruby shoes, which help her in walking. She is fanatical and is exploitative. This is evident when he limits the basic rights of her subjects. This is the behavior, which earns her the term “wicked witch.” The west wicked witch’s subjects are the Winkies. She has enslaved them to cooking, cleaning and other forms of hard labor. She enslaves these people within her palace. This witch also possesses killer bees, wolves, pets and crows. Barry, Hester, and Roberts (2006) asserted that the other attribute of this witch is that she is old, unpleasant and self-centered. Additionally, she has only one eye and is short in height. She has wrinkled skin and is cold-hearted. Her one eye is potent and it is believed that it can see everything in the Land of Oz. She dresses shaggily and always carries an umbrella. She uses the umbrella to punish anybody who irritates her. She also avoids water at all cost. The time she gets killed is when she conspired to steal magic shoes from Dorothy. It was coincidental that the cyclone coincided with her evil plan of action. Dorothy kills her by use of a bucket of water. Consequently, the Winkies get their freedom and declare Dorothy their heroine. How Social Event and Female Statue Feature in the Land of Oz The social events in the Land of Oz include the birthday party of Orin. This event is full of celebration and merry-making. Gort, Jansen, and Vroom (2007) asserted that it is in this event that Orin rediscovers her original identity and undertakes to find her Prince and royal family. Eventually, she meets her Prince and they are enthroned to lead in the Northern part of the Land of Oz. The other event is the wedding, which was supposed to join the Prince, Ochirren, and Orin, the Princess. Eliade (2005) argues that the wedding was interrupted by Mombi, who sought the Prince’s affection. Mombi did this despite of her knowledge of the planned wedding between the Prince and Orin. The female gender is dominant in this Land of Oz. This is because all the good and wicked witches are female. Additionally, the protagonist in this film, Dorothy Gale, is a female. This implies that feminism has taken over this society of Oz. The gender and the feminism changed in the long history to get the equalization, freedom, and independent. They simulate the improvement of the society at the same time. References Barry, J., Hester, M., & Roberts, G. (2006). Witchcraft in early modern Europe: Studies in culture and belief. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Barstow, L. (1995). Witch craze: A new history of the European witch hunts. New York: Harper One. Baum, F. (1993). The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Hertfordshire, New York: Harper One. Berger, H. A., & Ezzy, D. (2007). Teenage witches: Magical youth and the search for the self. New Brunswick, N.J: Rutgers University Press. Blundell, S. (2005). Women in ancient Greece. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. Brecht, B. (2000). Antigone. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. Chakrapani, C., & Vijaya, K. S. (2004). Changing status and role of women in Indian society. New Delhi: MD Publications. Comaroff, J. L. (2006). Law and Disorder in the Postcolony. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Eliade, M. (2005). Occultism, witchcraft, and cultural fashions: Essays in comparative religions. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press. Elgin, K. (2005). Daily life. Minneapolis, MN: Compass Point Books. Gort, J. D., Jansen, H., & Vroom, H. M. (2007). Probing the depths of evil and good: Multireligious views and case studies. Amsterdam: Rodopi. Maguire, G. (1995). Wicked: The life and times of the wicked witch of the West. Oliver, H. (2006). Black cats and April fools. London: Metro. Speare, E. G. (2010). The witch of Blackbird Pond. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Wendel, D. C. (2007). Spectral evidence, non-spectral acts of witchcraft, and confession at Salem in 1692. The Historical Journal, 40(2), 331–358. Read More