Cheesy Cheetos
3rd Period
Final Exam
Influences of Postmodernism
Paradise Lost by John Milton
Introduction
John Milton’s Paradise Lost is a retelling of the story of Adam and Eve from the biblical Book of Genesis that describes
the creation of the universe. Throughout the work, the narrator constructs the story from a new perspective and creates more depth to Satan’s character. In the fragmentation, intertextuality, and magical realism Milton displays in his writing, Milton trusts that his audience will find a lesson in disobedience and self-destruction.
Summary of Element One -Fragmentation
Postmodern Fragmentation is a technique with multiple perspectives or takes on the same story that results in different messages and meanings.
Milton creates a tragic hero through his writing in this epic poem however his status as a hero depends on your perspective on the poem. Satan tells his fellow fallen angels that they are free at last and that it is “Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav’n” (Milton, 263). The passage sets up the main conflict of Satan not wanting to bow or be lesser than anyone, which is the cause of his downfall; however, this also establishes him as a tragic hero. Satan can be seen as a hero because he chose to stand up to his ‘oppressor’ and was punished. The Renaissance literary tradition is comprised of many elements, one being a tragic hero. The evidence stated creates Satan as a fearless rebel, yet he could also be seen as a bratty child who did not agree with his Father, but that is where there is fragmentation in the text.
In “WHY THE PAST 10 YEARS OF AMERICAN LIFE HAS BEEN UNIQUELY STUPID. It's not just a phase. ” by Johnathan Haidt, the author utilizes fragmentation to help show every aspect of division in America. By utilizing fragmentation, we can witness a new perspective on the divisions in our world and are now clearly able to see the cause. In Paradise Lost and in “WHY THE PAST 10 YEARS OF AMERICAN LIFE HAS BEEN UNIQUELY STUPID. It’s not just a phase.” there is a clear connection between them due to the postmodern element of fragmentation, although they are perceived in
different ways. Fragmentation is present in Paradise Lost because depending on your perspective Satan can be seen as a tragic hero or rebel who needs to be dealt with. It is also present in Haidt’s writing because he uses it to clearly show the conflict present. The use of fragmentation helps to depict the result of disobedience and how views may vary based on it.
Summary of Element Two -Intertextuality
Postmodern Intertextuality shows the relationship between texts and how the meanings of texts can be derived from existing texts.
Milton’s Paradise Lost mainly takes place in Hell and occasionally takes place in the Garden of Eden, yet the main thing is depending on the location we see a reflection of human nature. Depending on where the story is set, we see the darker side of human nature, especially in Hell. Milton describes where the fallen angels “Lay vanquisht, rowling in the
fiery Gulfe” (Milton, 52). The quote intends to demonstrate where the worst of humankind will go and the fiery pit that is Hell reflects what is down there. Human nature was never meant to be evil, however when there is evil, then a lesson must be learned and that lesson is being sent down to Hell. This thought that the setting coincides with human nature at the moment can be connected to the belief that good humans go to Heaven and bad humans go to Hell.
In E.E. Cummings's poem “[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]”, there are elements of intertextuality mixed throughout. There are echoes of Shakespearean themes when Cummings writes “i fear no fate(for you are fate my sweet)” (Cummings). In Paradise Lost, there is never an explicit reference to Dante’s Inferno yet there is a pattern and
connection in the meanings between the two which is intertextuality. Based on the texts, we can loosely connect the two based on the technique of intertextuality and because of it, it allows us to witness the consequences one can encounter due to evil or disobedience.
Summary of Element Three - Magical Realism
Postmodern Magical Realism blends daily life with surreal events to not engage in linear storytelling.
Through Milton’s writings, there are times when his character calls on the Muse to invoke a tale and provides a mythical element to his epic poem. In Book 1 of his epic poem, we can assume it is Satan’s character who calls “the Oracle of God” to “Invoke thy aid to [his] adventurous Song” (Milton, 12). This quote intends to set up the story and call upon an
omniscient being to make his story seem larger than life. One aspect of the Renaissance literary tradition is the
invocation of a divine presence or being and the quote embodies that. A new perspective is given when examining the text because when an oracle or divine being is called upon, it is to make the narrator’s story more valuable and meaningful. Satan wanted attention drawn to his tale of disobedience in hopes that others too would rebel against the norm, however, he is only perceived as a whiny baby.
In “Humility” by Gorillaz, the music video utilizes magical realism throughout the video by bringing animated characters into the real world with real people. The animated characters are seen doing normal activities, and that is normal, yet the fact they are doing these activities with people who are not animated is odd. It brings a sense of magic to daily life
and is similar to what John Milton does in his writing. Although the thought of God and Satan can be perceived as magical and out of the ordinary, when looking at it through a postmodern lens to connect it to “Humility,” we need to look for something even more out there. Satan calls upon the “Oracle of God” when he is narrating and is an example of magical realism because he intends to draw a divine being into telling his story. This gives Paradise Lost a sense of magic because it would be normal for a story to be told, yet calling upon an oracle or muse gives it an unreal feel. Satan destructed himself because he wanted power and his story to be told and the only one to blame is his disobedience.
Conclusion
The genres reveal that meaningful lessons, such as ones about disobedience and self-destruction, can be revealed through the intermingling of genres. The human experience will encounter mishaps and mistakes, yet it is all about how one handles and views the situation they are in.
Works Cited
Cummings, E.E. “[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in].” 1952. Poetry Foundation, 2024, www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/49493/i-carry-your-heart-with-mei-carry-it-in. Accessed 10 May 2024.
Gorillaz. “Humility.” YouTube, 31 May 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5yFcdPAGv0 Accessed 10 May 2024.
Haidt, Jonathan. “WHY THE PAST 10 YEARS OF AMERICAN LIFE HAVE BEEN UNIQUELY STUPID. It’s not just a phase.” The Atlantic, www.tcatitans.org/cms/lib/CO50010872/Centricity//Domain/63/Haidt%20-%202022%20- %20Why%20the%20Past%2010%20Years%20of%20American%20Life%20Have%20Been%20Uniquely%20Stupid%20-%20The%20Atlantic.12 Sept. 2022.
Leach, Holly. “Highlights of Postmodernism.” Nerd Central, 3 May 2023. pdfnerdcentralorg.files.wordpress.com/2024/05/highlights-of-postmodernism.pdf. Accessed 10 May 2024.
Milton, John. Paradise Lost. Edited by Eric Armstrong. www.yorku.ca/earmstro/text/ParadiseLostBk1.pdf. Accessed 10 May 2024.
Martin, John. The Public Domain Review. 1827. publicdomainreview.org/collection/john-martin-s-illustrations-of-paradise lost-1827/
Simpsons. “Adam and Eve” Giphy, 2017, giphy.com/explore/adam-eve?sort=relevant. Accessed 3 May 2024.
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