Civil Disobedience

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"It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right." This type of mentality and belief in a greater justice beyond the law persists throughout Antigone. Antigone’s wrongful actions relate to real life events. These inspiring events include The Salt March, the Boston Tea Party, and Rosa Park’s bus ride. Civil disobedience is defined as the refusal to obey certain laws or government demands in attempt to influence legislation or government policy. This act of disobedience is performed by people who are brave enough to stand up for what they believe in no matter what the punishment is. One act of civil disobedience is Gandhi’s famous Salt March. Gandhi's defiance of British laws over the salt tax, starting in March of 1930, sparked a wave of civil disobedience. Gandhi and his supporters began a long, expanding march to produce salt and transport it without paying the tax. The British suppressed the march fiercely, arresting thousands of protestors, and refusing to make any concessions. As seen in lines 69-77, Antigone states that she is willing to perform a "crime of piety" because it would avoid dishonoring the gods. She believes that honoring Polyneices, and the gods is most important. For Antigone, disobeying the law is the most effective way to honor her brother to do what is right. Both of these actions are similar, but also different. Both Antigone and Ghandi hoped to protest without violence. Also, they both knew the possible consequences, but they didn’t care. Antigone did something, while Ghandi stopped doing something. Both of these people inspired a group of people. Both Antigone and Ghandi had powerful effect society. Another act of civil disobedience is the Boston Tea Party. The Bosto... ... middle of paper ... ...king some of societies laws is both a right and responsibility. Which in most cases leads to a positive result in society. Works Cited The Salt March: Benner, Alana. "The Gandhi Salt March." Gandhi Salt March: 1930. David W. Koeller, 12 Sept. 2003. Web. 18 May 2014. History.com. "Salt March." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 20 May 2014. Rosa Parks: "Civildisobedience100." Civildisobedience100. N.p., 14 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 May 2014. Ford, Henry. "Rosa Parks Bus - The Story Behind the Bus." Rosa Parks Bus. The Henry Ford, n.d. Web. 19 May 2014. The Boston Tea Party: Seymour, Richard. "Five Examples of Civil Disobedience to Remember." Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 20 Aug. 2012. Web. 20 May 2014. "Texas Politics - Civil Disobedience and Non-Violent Action." Civil Disobedience and Non-Violent Action. Texas Politics, n.d. Web. 18 May 2014.

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