)edipus Rex and A Raisin in the Sun - Essay Example

R.Preeti 11/11/2007 Literature often comprises of overlapping themes and events in various versions and works, allowing for comparison analysis and studies. In bringing about these comparisons, one often looks to compare and contrast themes, styles of writing, the usage of figures of speech and the overall content of the works. This write-up is a comparison between Oedipus Rex and A Raisin In The Sun; the former written by Sophocles and the latter, by Lorraine Hansberry.

The two belong to completely different time periods and literary genres. The former belongs to the Greek Drama, while the latter belongs to the genre of African-American literature of the modern era. This article aspires to draw out comparison in the area of 'Written and Unwritten Laws' that govern the setup in both works, even though the two belong to completely different time periods and genres, as already mentioned. ANALYSISOedipus Rex is set-up in olden day Greece, wherein the State was an important aspect of governance.

It w as governed by laws and duties, fundamental to the state. These were the written laws of the state. When Creon lays down that Polynices, who is envisaged as the enemy of the state, not be given the rightful burial, he does so with the perspective fo attaching more importance to the state. However, he is opposed by his wife, son and other civilian citizens. This is due to the fact that sometimes, unwritten laws of humane nature gain an upper hand over the written rules and regulations of the state.

In addition to this, we get well acquainted with the theme of 'prophesising', in the Greek drama. Tiresias is a person who can pronounce prophecies and advise people on what needs to be done. Here again, the unwritten law and the concept of free will is upheld, as above the written and real law of the land. These are very minute and humane laws that govern the heart, more than the head.Coming to A Raisin In The Sun, the theme of racism is clearly visible.

It talks about a black family, that receives insurance money, as a result of the death of a family member. Each family member has different dreams and aims about what to do with the money. The distribution of insurance money is a representation of the Written law of the land. The story moves forward and eventually, Mama's dream is to buy a house in the white neighbourhood---almost a taboo in the racist society, then. There existed an extradition of the blacks form the white-housed colonies in the cities during that time.

This is the Unwritten Law that existed during the time. The very thought of living with the whites, is representative of the fact that the era also saw the spurring of this Unwritten Law and opposing it. Thus, both the pieces of literature, though extremely variant in their content and genres, reflecting the time periods in which they were written, do have some points of intersection. The Written and Unwritten Law is a motif that is one fo these common focal points in both the works.

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