Read the passage. A New Brother When my parents told me and my brother Mark that we would be hosting a foreign exchange student—a boy from New Zealand named Del—for the entire fall semester, I was enthusiastic. “He’s the youngest of four brothers,” Mom continued, “so it will be a new experience for him to be the oldest.” It would be a new experience for me, too, not to be the oldest, I realized. Suddenly I was a little less excited about having Del in our family. By the time the big day finally came, and we all were at the airport waiting for Del, my attitude about the situation had become pretty negative. The whole family was going on and on about this boy whose only accomplishment was flying halfway around the world just to go to school; why was I the only one who didn’t think the occasion called for all this celebration? My dad was holding a sign with Del’s last name written on it, as if he were a limousine driver. Mom’s sign said, “Welcome to America, DEL” and even Mark seemed to be thrilled about Del’s pending arrival. My mom noticed my expression and nudged me sharply, just as a tallish boy, dressed normally but with a foreign flair, approached our family. “How’s it going? You must be the Martins.” Mom broke into a huge smile. “We are. Welcome to the family!” Del looked happy to get such a warm greeting, but also slightly panicked. Suddenly, I started wondering how I would feel if our situations were reversed. Being thousands of miles from home, not knowing anyone, and having to live with complete strangers was pretty intimidating. This experience was going to be awkward for me, but at least I was still in familiar surroundings. I stuck out my hand. “Hi, Del. I’m Sam. I think we’re going to get along just fine.”

1. in creon’s first words to the chorus, what are the “storms” that threatened to destroy the ship of state?   polynices’ invation of the city with foreign armies was the “storms” eteocles and polynices decided to switch the crown every year, but after eteocles’ first year decided not to share it with polynices. polynices joined forces with foreign armies to invade the city and tried to take the crown from his brother, where he and eteocles killed each other   2. examine creon’s opening speech. what are his concerns? how does he feel about the city and its citizens? what are his motivations for banning the burial of polyneices? what would drive creon to place the concerns of the collective citizens over those of his family?   in creon’s opening speech, his concerns are to count on his citizens to rule. in addition, he wanted to give a clear message by not giving a proper burial to polyneices, if creon gave a proper burial to polyneices his people would think that he was an allied to the foreign forces that invaded the city and threatened the peace of his people.   creon placed the concerns of the collective citizens because he has no use for those who put individual concerns over the needs of his people 3. pay attention to creon’s speech at the beginning of the scene. what does creon think someone’s first loyalty should be and what comes second? do you think he is correct under some conditions? do you think he is wrong in some conditions? explain those conditions. creon thinks someone’s first loyalty should be with the concerns of the collective citizens and second comes our individual wants. i think he is correct because true loyalty takes place in the benefits of many not of a few.   4. what news is the sentry reluctant to deliver?   the sentry is reluctant to say that polyneices had a burial. 5. who does the chorus suggest might have done this?   the chorus suggests that the gods have done that 6. what is creon’s reaction and who does creon think is responsible? creon reacted abruptly and thinks it was a man who bribed his guard to bury polyneices