Guided Dialectical Journal
Directions: Using the format below, you will complete a Guided Dialectal Journal throughout the
reading of Antigone. What will be different about this journal is that I will provide guiding
questions, and you will provide the following:
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Type of entry- There are several different types of entries, including: natural
commentary, personal connections, characterization, analysis of a literary element, and
question & answer. Refer to the list below
Text evidence-Provide a passage or quote from the text; no paraphrasing or plot
summary.
Response- Please make sure responses are level 2 and 3 responses.
Types of Entries
Natural Commentary: These entries are written based on your natural reaction to the
text. It is not about your personal connections, but rather your reaction to the material.
Respond with whatever comes to mind after reading the passage or quote.
Personal Connections: This type of entry is based on any personal connection you can
make to the text. For example, it reminds you of something you have been through,
someone you know, something you have seen, etc.
Characterization: These entries are based on what inferences you can make about a
character based on his/her description in the text. These entries are based on both indirect
and direct characterization.
Analysis of a Literary Element: This type of entry is based on the analysis of a literary
element (i.e. symbols, allusions, diction, foreshadowing, metaphor, mood,
personification, plot elements, repetition, suspense, etc.). These entries require you to
understand what type of literary device is being used, as well as what effect is has on the
text.
Question & Answer: This type of entry requires you to pose a question about the
selection and then offer a possible answer to the question. Obviously, you may not
always know the correct answer, but you need to attempt an answer.
You will turn in the journal to Turnitin.com by January 5, 2016. The window will close after this
date and late submissions will not be accepted (NO EXCEPTIONS).
PROLOGUE
Guiding Question
What does Antigone’s opening
speech reveals about her
feelings for her sister?
How do the words and actions
of Ismene, a FOIL character,
help you understand the main
character, Antigone?
What is the central conflict
between the sisters?
How are Antigone and Ismene
alike? How are they different?
What does Ismene’s argument
that “we are only women; we
cannot fight with men,” suggest
about prescribed roles in Greek
society?
At the end of the prologue we
see that Ismene is determined
to abide by the laws of man
whereas Antigone, whose name
means antagonist, is determined
to disobey the king. What does
Antigone’s decision reveal
about her feelings for her
brother and the gods’ laws?
Text evidence
Type of Response
PARODOS
Guiding Question
How does the mood of this
ode contrast with the
prologue?
How does the parodos
establish irony?
Explain how connection
between the parodos and
Antigone and Ismene’s
conversation foreshadows
the plot of the play.
What type of conduct was
Zeus punishing?
Give three examples of
figurative language in the last
verse of the parodos. How
does it impact the plot?
Text evidence
Type of Response
SCENE 1
Guiding Question
Explain the metaphor of the
ship
Evaluate Creon as a leader
TRAGIC FLAW refers to the
defect of character that brings
about his/her downfall. What
do you think Creon’s tragic
flaw might be? Explain your
answers
The ancient Greeks placed
great emphasis on a virtue
they called SOPHROSYNE.
This word meant various
things at different times, but
it is most often translated as
temperance, self-restraint,
contentment, and selfknowledge. What examples of
sophrosyne or the lack of it
does Creon display in this
scene?
Text evidence
Type of Response
ODE 1
Guiding Question
Text evidence
Type of Response
Text evidence
Type of Response
What 2 things can man not
control and why is this
ironic?
Identify any figurative
language is used in this ode
and explain its effectiveness
SCENE 2
Guiding Question
What law does Antigone
recognize as the supreme
one?
What is Antigone’s attitude
toward death?
Explore how the irony in this
scene adds to the tragedy
Why does Creon feel
Antigone threatens his
manhood? How does his
perception heighten the
conflict?
What is the central conflict in
this scene?
Who is the protagonist in the
play? Who is the antagonist?
Explain your answers
Who is the protagonist in the
play? Who is the antagonist?
Explain your answers
ODE 2
Guiding Question
Text evidence
Type of Response
Text evidence
Type of Response
What is the thematic idea of
this ode?
How does this ode compare
to Ode 1?
SCENE 3
Guiding Question
What do Creon’s words
suggest about his relationship
with his son?
What do Creon’s words
reveal about his views of
government, women, and his
role as king?
What do Haemon’s words
reveal about him in his
speech?
In what ways does Haemon’s
speech reflect the ideals of
democracy?
Haemon’s words “It is not
reason never to yield to
reason!” How would you
interpret this to mean?
ODE 3
Guiding Question
Text evidence
Type of Response
Text evidence
Type of Response
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Type of Response
The prevailing themes in
Odes 2 & 3 are the fleeting
nature of human life, the
inevitable, awesome and
sometimes arbitrary power of
the gods. How are these
themes revealed in the play so
far?
SCENE 4
Guiding Question
In Antigone's first lines of
Scene 4, is she showing
regret? What is the tone and
mood of the beginning of this
scene?
Whose fate does Antigone
compare to her own?
What does Antigone say is
the cause of her death?
What does Antigone look
forward to in death?
ODE 4
Guiding Question
1. The chorus recounts stories of
other noble figures. What
purpose does this serve?
Why does the chorus reserve
judgement here?
SCENE 5
Guiding Question
Text evidence
Type of Response
Text evidence
Type of Response
What is the irony in opening
lines of Scene 5?
What is Teiresias predicting?
At what point of Scene 5 does
Creon change his tone and
attitude?
Why does Creon decide to
save Antigone
PAEN
Guiding Question
Describe the tone of the paen
Most ancient Greek tragedies
observed three unities-unity
of time (with all action in the
play unfolding in one day),
unity of place (with all action
occurring in one place), and
unity of action (with all
events an important part of
developing or resolving the
conflict). How does the paen
demonstrate the unity of
action?
EXODOS
Guiding Question
2. What moral to this tragedy
does the chorus deliver?
Analyze this sections
contribution to the success of
the plot as a whole
Identify and analyze
Antigone’s archetypal tragic
flaw and how it contributes to
her downfall.
Identify and analyze Creon’s
archetypal tragic flaw and
how it contributes to his
downfall.
Who would you identify as
the true tragic hero of this
play and why?
Text evidence
Type of Response