Creon: The Aftermath Of The American Civil War

Time and Scene: A Southern plantation house, at night. It is April of 1865 and news of General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox has spread throughout the South. Brothers Earl and Paul, fighting on opposite sides of the war, have both died in a recent battle. Union General Creon has requisitioned the plantation as his command post and has declared martial law. Enter Annie through the plantation door, who walks to a small fountain at the center of the stage. She is followed, moments later by Irene. The Civil War was a tumultuous period in American history. Eleven states seceded from the Union, prompting what some call the “bloodiest war in US history,” where an estimated 700,000 men and women died from combat, disease, and starvation (Downs).

By 1865, the South has been devastated by the war. Cities have burned, farms have been destroyed or left barren, and the railroads have been smashed. In addition, the South’s primary source of cheap labor, slaves, has been lost due to the Emancipation Proclamation (Paskoff). The land teeters on a knife-edge. Unrest flows through the population as poverty and chaos knock at the door. A strong military hand is needed to maintain order, a hand that “General” Creon readily waves. The primary action in A Civil War Antigone takes places in front of the plantation, for it serves as both home for Annie and Irene, but also as the base of operations for Creon’s occupying Union forces. Looking at Figure 1, it is clear that the plantation is large, white, three-storied, and faced by eight tall columns. However, this once grand symbol of wealth and power has slipped into decay. The plantation’s slave force has long since abandoned the site. As a consequence, the white façade of the building is chipped and faded, the surrounding grounds are wild and overgrown

While a decaying plantation can be represented in a backdrop on a traditional stage, placing the production in front of an actual surviving plantation would add a heightened effect, putting the audience in the scene. The production would be staged at night, not only to emphasize the secrecy of the first scene, but to present the play at a time when the heat of the day as begun to cool. For placing the audience, typical risers and chairs would never fit, for it would ruin the old Southern aesthetic. Instead, a semi-circle of tables and chairs, would line the production, as if set for an outside banquet. The tables would have to fit the time period, as well as the full table-setting on them. Dinner would be served, a range of authentic Southern cuisine, presented by a staff in period servant’s attire. By placing the audience thus, they become immersed in not only the setting, becoming part of the play, but can experience a moment of genuine Southern