Antigone Rising
Ratings2
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings2
Average rating3.5
A witty, inspiring reckoning with the ancient Greek and Roman myths and their legacy, from what they can illuminate about #MeToo to the radical imagery of Beyoncé. The picture of classical antiquity most of us learned in school is framed in certain ways -- glossing over misogyny while omitting the seeds of feminist resistance. Many of today's harmful practices, like school dress codes, exploitation of the environment, and rape culture, have their roots in the ancient world. But in Antigone Rising, classicist Helen Morales reminds us that the myths have subversive power because they are told -- and read -- in different ways. Through these stories, whether it's Antigone's courageous stand against tyranny or the indestructible Caeneus, who inspires trans and gender queer people today, Morales uncovers hidden truths about solidarity, empowerment, and catharsis. Antigone Rising offers a fresh understanding of the stories we take for granted, showing how we can reclaim them to challenge the status quo, spark resistance, and rail against unjust regimes.
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I don't usually read nonfiction books, especially not ones about feminism or any type of social justice. This intrigued me because it looks at the world through myths and stories.
However I found it surprisingly lacking in a lot of way. Yes it was discussed how myths are often interpreted different or wrongly by the larger public and the myths that do give good insights into fighting for equality.
However only at the end when discussing queer interpretations does the author mention anything about how people view the myths, sometimes interpreting things differently, or blatantly changing the narrative of the original myth. With an innitial response that “those aren't the real stories”. Totally disregarding that these myths were spread mouth to mouth untill someone wrote a single interpretation down. Most if not all of which were men. The lesson and meaning of these “real stories” were already an interpretation. I was hoping to see more of the way ancient women might have told these myths. And by not adressing the subjectivity of the original “author” this, to me, completely misses an important and more interesting point.
Although it also felt quick shallow in its exploration of the topic, the book was already very short, there were some interesting comparisons and insights highlighted.
