Introduction
John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” bridges the centuries with its postmodern elements of pastiche, intertextuality, and fragmentation. Through blending diverse styles, referencing various texts, and deconstructing traditional narratives, Milton’s epic invites exploration to storytelling, meaning, and human experience in a postmodern context.
Summary of Element One - Fragmentation
Links to Postmodernism in Paradise Lost
In “Paradise Lost”, John Milton’s fragmented perspectives challenge traditional narrative structures, reflecting a postmodern sensibility. Through characters like Eve and Satan, Milton blurs the lines between hero and villain, as seen in Eve’s reflection on self-esteem, “Oft-times nothing profits more/ Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right/ Well managed” (Book IX, lines 350-352), and Satan’s declaration of the mind’s power, “The mind is its own place, and in itself/ Can make a heav’n of hell, a hell of heav’n” (Book I, lines 254-255). This fragmentation disrupts linear storytelling, inviting readers to question fixed meanings and embrace ambiguity, aligning with postmodern skepticism towards singular truths.
Links to Postmodern Media Source(s)
OutKast, “Hey Ya!” music video
In the music video “Hey Ya!” by OutKast, fragmentation emerges prominently through its rapid scene changes and the depiction of André 3000 assuming multiple roles. This fragmentation disrupts traditional narrative flow, presenting viewers with disjointed glimpses that reflect the fractured nature of contemporary culture. As scenes shift abruptly, moving from vibrant performance sets to stark white backgrounds, the video mirrors the chaotic and fragmented experience of navigating modern life inundated with diverse stimuli. This fragmentation is significant as it not only challenges traditional storytelling conventions but also serves as poignant commentary on the postmodern condition, where reality is perceived as inherently fragmented and individuals grapple with reconciling competing narratives and ideologies in their daily lives.
My Take - While “Paradise Lost” explores the fall of humanity and the consequences of temptation, the music video for “Hey Ya!” challenges societal norms and expectations, both go into the themes of disillusionment and the complexities of human experience in different mediums and contexts.
Summary of Element Two - Pastiche
Links to Postmodernism in Paradise Lost
In "Paradise Lost," John Milton employs the postmodern characteristic of pastiche by weaving together diverse literary traditions, genres, and sources to construct his epic narrative. Drawing from classical mythology, biblical stories, medieval epics, and Renaissance literature, Milton creates a rich tapestry of themes and styles that transcend traditional genre boundaries. Through his fusion of epic poetry with theological discourse and philosophical inquiry, Milton challenges conventional notions of narrative coherence and invites readers to engage with a multiplicity of cultural and religious references. Additionally, Milton's portrayal of Satan as a complex and charismatic figure subverts traditional moral dichotomies, exemplifying the postmodern practice of reinterpreting established narratives in innovative and provocative ways.
Links to Postmodern Media Source(s)
Jonathan Haidt “WHY THE PAST 10 YEARS OF AMERICAN LIFE HAVE BEEN UNIQUELY STUPID It’s Not Just A Phase.”
Jonathan Haidt's article "WHY THE PAST 10 YEARS OF AMERICAN LIFE HAVE BEEN UNIQUELY STUPID It’s Not Just A Phase" doesn't directly discuss postmodern pastiche, but it resonates with its essence. Haidt delves into the complexities of American discourse, particularly highlighting the impact of polarization, social media, and tribalism on the intellectual landscape. In this environment, individuals often uncritically adopt and propagate ideas, mimicking ideologies without deep understanding or engagement. This reflects a form of pastiche, where disparate elements are borrowed and combined without coherence or originality. Haidt's analysis underscores the superficiality and fragmentation of contemporary discourse, echoing the postmodern critique of pastiche in cultural and political contexts.
E.E Cummings, [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]
While “[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]” primarily showcases magical realism, there are elements of pastiche present in E.E Cummings’ unconventional use of punctuation and syntax. Cummings often employs fragmented syntax and nontraditional punctuation, such as parentheses and unconventional spacing, which mimic the disjointed nature of thought and emotion. This stylistic choice can be interpreted as a form of pastiche, as Cummings draws from various literary traditions and defies the poetic norms to create a unique and experimental work. By incorporating pastiche alongside magical realism, Cummings further enriches the complexity and depth of this poem, inviting readers to engage with its multilayered narrative and thematic elements. Examples of this punctuation include lots of parentheses, commas, and even a semi colon.
My Take - Jonathan Haidt's article "WHY THE PAST 10 YEARS OF AMERICAN LIFE HAVE BEEN UNIQUELY STUPID It’s Not Just A Phase" doesn't directly address postmodern pastiche, but it does touch upon aspects that can be related to it. Postmodern pastiche refers to the borrowing or imitation of various styles and elements from different sources without a clear sense of originality or authenticity. Haidt's article discusses the state of American discourse and politics, particularly focusing on how polarization, social media, and tribalism have contributed to a "stupid" environment.
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Conclusion
“Paradise Lost” transcends its 17th-century origins to resonate with postmodern themes, offering a rich tapestry of literary techniques that challenge conventional narratives and invite readers to engage in a deeper exploration of meaning and human experience.
Works Cited
Alphabetized, MLA Formatted Citations:
Cummings, E.E. "i carry your heart with me(i carry it in." Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, ,
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/49493/i-carry-your-heart-with-mei-carry-it-in. Accessed May 10, 2024.
Haidt, Jonathan "WHY THE PAST 10 YEARS OF AMERICAN LIFE HAVE BEEN UNIQUELY STUPID
It’s not just a phase." Google Docs, Google, docs.google.com/document/d/1Qw4Nh0Ieyqxd9Lbxauey5wHO7rh0PGdx1WOpNCos5Ro/edit . Accessed May 10, 2024.
Milton, John "Paradise Lost, Book 1." York University, Accessed May 10, 2024,
https://www.yorku.ca/earmstro/text/ParadiseLostBk1.pdf.
"Nerdy Publisher." Wix, Wix, https://nerdypublisher.wixsite.com/website.
Outkast. "Hey Ya!" YouTube, uploaded by OutkastVEVO, 2009,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWgvGjAhvIw. Accessed May 10, 2024.
Unknown. "Cancel Culture Image." UAB, 2024,
uab.edu/humanrights/2020/12/04/cancel-culture-a-societal-obligation-or-infringement-on-free-speech/ Accessed May 10, 2024.