“Meaning is an event, something that happens, not on the page, where we are accustomed to look for it, but in the interaction between the flow of print and the actively mediating consciousness of a reader.”–Stanley Fish, Surprised by Sin: the Reader in PARADISE LOST
In Paradise Lost, Milton dares to explore the Creation story at the core of the Christian belief, questioning how in a perfect vision pain and violence could exist. As Stanley Fish explains, it is our story that we consider in reading this epic work: Milton is deeply interested in understanding how humanity came to be divided from Heaven and what repercussions this has on our nature, our ideas around sin, gender, the natural world, justice…the poetry is majestic and the going may get tough: but to understand Paradise Lost is to probe deep into the structures of human spirit that we have inherited.
Heading off to Paris just now for two studies: Faulkner’s “The Bear” which will be happening in London next week as well and The Passion of New Eve by Angela Carter…two mind-bending works that the Paris Salonistas have been willing to tackle…next up in London:
Faulkner’s “The Bear” Thursday October 4th 7-10 PM One meeting intensive (space remaining for three participants) *use the links or visit the events page to register*
Paradise Lost by John Milton Tuesday Evenings 8-10 PM, Thursday afternoons 1-3 PM (five week study) *use the links or visit the events page to register*
Here is one reviewer on Paradise Lost (Norton Edition–available at Owl Bookshop in Kentish Town):
“Milton is hard to read. There’s no way around it. He was incredibly well versed in Latin and Greek and the famous epics, and intentionally set out to imitate that style with this Christian poem. Thus, some of the sentences are close to thirty lines or more, and are almost unintelligible at first. I am a Latin scholar, so I am used to seeing this kind of writing, but Paradise Lost could be challenging to the uninitiated. That being said, it is definitely worth the effort. Milton set out not just to tell the story of the Fall of Man but also to “justify the ways of God to men.” It is frequently remarked that God is a secondary character and Satan is the most well-developed. I think this may be the same technique used by Dante to draw in the reader and have them commit the same sin as the characters. And this is what is most enjoyable about Milton: trying to unravel the many layers.
If you are a Christian, this book may ask some interesting questions. Milton was definitely pious, but he did have some interesting personal beliefs that may or may not have agreed with doctrine at the time.
If you are just a fan of the classics and great literature, I’m sure you will find Paradise Lost to be among the best poems in history, and certainly the best in English.
Finally, the Norton Critical Edition is superior in that it contains about 300 pages of criticisms and background information, all of which aid to one’s understanding and enjoyment of the poem. ”
Sin. Satan. Fall of Man. I think we are in for some fun.
