Feminism In Antigone And Wicked

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Introduction
Gloria Steinem said, “A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men”. Feminists empower women but look for equality between both genders. Unfortunately there is a stigma and fear that comes with this word; when hearing the word feminist people quickly think of ‘man hatter’. In this paper I will be arguing that Antigone and Wicked both challenge and reinforce the conventional ideas of gender. This is an important topic because it will help us understand both sides of the pro-feminist and the anti-feminist. It will also help us see how women were viewed in the past and how they are viewed today.

Wicked
In the story of Wicked the topic of gender plays a significant role in how the readers perceive things. This book not only challenges but also reinforces conventional views and ideas about gender. Galinda is a perfect example of reinforcing those conventional views. When Galinda is first introduced it is quickly grasped that she cares strongly about social hierarchy and is against social justice (Kelly). This is seen when Galinda talks about travel with Professor Dillamond. “If the Wizard’s Banns went through the Hall of Approval, as they are likely to do, the goat himself would be required by law to give up the privileges he had earned through years of study, training, and saving. ‘Is that right for a creature with a spirit?’ he said. ‘From here to there, there to here, in a pen?’ ‘I quite agree, travel is so broadening,” said Galinda.” (Maguire 67). Galinda holds her and many people to an imaginary social rank and has the mentality of the female condition past and present. She believes she will never make it to the top (Fehrenbacher). Galinda does not only represent the homema...

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...n her a strong-will that makes her intimidating to the men. Creon himself says that the need to control and defeat her is greater because she is a woman. Antigone rebels against gender roles and social structure (Jacobs).

Conclusion
Women and men fear the thought of an empowered woman and the thought of feminism. Women fear that will be punished by men if they stand against them and fear that being a feminist will make them cruel and lonely. Men fear that women will one day rise and surpass them. But it is with these women that great change can come. Being a feminist does not require a person to hate men nor does it isolate a person from the rest of the world. In both texts we witnessed that there are people who reinforce conventional views of gender roles and those who challenge them. The life is a feminist is challenging but much more rewarding at the same time.

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