What Do I Read Next?
Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles around 430 B.C., explores the tragic fate of Oedipus, the father of Antigone. As the king of Thebes, Oedipus is tasked with ridding the city of a devastating plague by uncovering the truth behind the murder of Laius, the former king. In his quest, Oedipus learns that he has unwittingly killed his own father, married his mother, and caused the very plague he seeks to eliminate.
Jean Anouilh's modern adaptation of Sophocles's Antigone features a single commentator as the chorus. This version of the play, written during World War II, resonated with both French resistance fighters and German Nazis.
Euripides's play Alcestis, first staged in 438 B.C., offers a different perspective in both theme and style compared to Antigone. While Sophocles appears deeply committed to religious themes and the gods, Euripides takes a more realistic approach. In Alcestis, the titular character agrees to sacrifice her life for her husband Admetus and his family, contrasting sharply with Antigone's refusal to die for a husband or children.
Kurt Vonnegut's 1976 novel Slapstick envisions a future centered on the desire for connection and kinship. One character's political agenda aims to ensure that every American citizen has an extended family.
The Godfather, a 1969 novel by Mario Puzo, delves into the world of organized crime. The story depicts a family structure that defies mainstream American political and ethical norms, emphasizing the importance of kinship and blood ties.
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