'From pussy hats to melting polar ice, Helen Morales finds unexpected ways to connect contemporary political uprisings with Greek and Roman mythology. This is a book not just to read but to cherish, ideally with The Carters' Apeshit as sonic accompaniment.'- Dan-el Padilla Peralta, Associate Professor of Classics, Princeton, and author of Undocumented: A Dominican Boy's Odyssey from a Homeless Shelter to the Ivy League Probing, learned, and heartfelt, this book advances a generous and inspiring vision of Greek myth for the 21st century. 'Faithful to its summons of Ralph Ellison in the preface, Helen Morales' Antigone Rising will enlarge you. Concise, incisive, and provocative.'- Kirkus Reviews 'Engaging and well-researched, this book reveals how canonical narratives that appear to uphold (white) patriarchy can be reclaimed to benefit the very groups that patriarchy attempts to suppress. 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.Īntigone 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. Many of today's harmful practices, like school dress codes, exploitation of the environment, and rape culture, have their roots in the ancient world.īut in Antigone Rising, classicist Helen Morales reminds us that the myths have subversive power because they are told - and read - in different ways. 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. Description 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.

Antigone rising by helen morales