The Game of Postmodernism: The Choice Is Yours - 5th pd.

Introduction

I want you to close your eyes and then imagine a simple world where nothing is as it seems. Everything is up for debate. This is the empire of postmodernism, welcome in! Postmodernism is a way of challenging the ideas we are used to. As I researched and studied John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” I found that there were an overwhelming number of postmodern elements I had not noticed before. In this final blog post we are going to dissect and get our hands dirty by questioning Milton’s classic book. 

Summary of Element One - Multiple Meanings

Links to Postmodernism in Paradise Lost

Here’s the link: Paradise Lost 

When I started re reading “Paradise Lost” I saw the quote “... and to begirt th’ Almighty Throne. (Milton l. 865)”. At first read it is confusing and doesn’t make sense, so like a smart leader of the giggle gang I dove right into my research. Here’s what I found: Satan is trying to belittle or brush off God’s power. Not only did I find multiple meanings I also found symbolism and the challenging of authority. This quote suggests that God’s power and authority, His “Throne”, can have multiple meanings and shows how things are not always going to be straightforward and clear. Most people understand or believe God has lots of power, however in this quote it is almost challenging that idea and hinting and winking at us to think differently and look for a different answer.

Links to Postmodern Media Source(s)

NYE Shihab, Naomi. Making a Fist, 1988. Nerdy Publisher

Here’s the link!!  Making a Fist 

The postmodern element we are going to dip our feet into is multiple meanings, it is demonstrated through the way the poem provides the reader to decipher the steps of making a fist in multiple ways. The physical action itself most of the time is interpreted as representing strength and anger, but Nye does not specifically say there is a definitive or correct interpretation. Alternatively, she provides very open-ended, yet simple language that leaves room for our own personal interpretation. How cool is that, she’s written a poem where there are no wrong answers and I stand behind that. I love the idea of creativity and hate when people shame others for not having the same thinking pattern, so this poem really floats my boat. By focusing on a simple gesture and highlighting its personal changeability, the poem acknowledges the idea that meaning is left to the individual to make, which in turn makes the action of making a fist a powerful symbol of how as humans we all have different paths in life, yet in the end we are all humans. This poem makes me think of the moments when I see people stand up against bullying, like in school or on social media. The  fist is the symbol of strength and resistance, which makes me feel so motivated and powerful idk about y’all… 

My Take - Looking over the poem Making a Fist and the book Paradise Lost the common themes are struggle and we see that through multiple meanings. After analyzing over both it gives readers their own opportunity to interpret and understand the book and poem.

Summary of Element Two - Paradox

Links to Postmodernism in Paradise Lost

Here’s the link: Paradise Lost 

Our next element is paradox, which is a statement that challenges everyday thinking. To understand it, let’s first hear it, "The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.(Milton ll. 55-56)”, Satan is literally trying to convince us that our thoughts are how we perceive the world. This quote is showing how our opinions and morals are based on our mind and how we view things. In a similar situation someone could view it as a positive while their friend views it as a negative, it all comes down to what we see as “good and evil”. Now don’t worry it is okay if you still don’t understand let me throw another example your way, “Single against thee wicked, and thence weak. (Milton l. 855)”. See how Satan up front admits he is weak and fighting God is hard for him, he tries to make God out to be so bad and evil. Right here it shows things aren’t always how they appear, Satan tries to act all tough but that is just his “mask” he hides behind. While nowadays people see rebellion as brave and daring, this quote shows how it can make us weak. It is said to make us believe that good and evil are hard to tell apart, oftentimes they are not. It is all up to us as readers to decide what is right and what is wrong.

Links to Postmodern Media Source(s)

Tolstaya, Tatyana. Unnecessary Things, 2017. Xpress English

Here's the link: "Unnecessary Things"  

Okay, so let's break it down. The person telling the story in "Unnecessary Things"? She's obsessed with old junk, like, really, really, really obsessed. She goes on and on about a broken ski stick and a sock with a hole as if they're super important items used to survive. It's funny because, come on now girl, it's junk! Plain outright no-good junk! But she's all ooo serious about it, like she's figured out the secrets of life. It's like she's saying, "Hey look at this old button! It tells the answers to everything you've ever thought or wondered!" And then you're like, "Uh... I think it's just a button." That's the satire and paradox element. For a second you get lost and really start thinking, wait does this mean something? Anyhoo it's not a sad story about old things and how they most often bring back nostalgia; it's actually a really funny story about how we get weirdly obsessed and get into our own minds. No one is right or wrong it all just depends how you believe it goes.

My Take - In Paradise Lost, Milton highlights how the fall of mankind was awful yet necessary, which is similar to the postmodern element that things can be both true and false at the same time. This creates a paradox, which actually makes us question our thinking.

Summary of Element Three - Questioning Of Reality

Links to Postmodernism in Paradise Lost

Here’s the link: Paradise Lost 

To switch us up and make us wonder we hear the quote “From either end of Heaven the welkin burns. (Milton l. 538)”, it describes Heaven burning, which is part of Satan’s rebellion and his created chaos. This quote is questioning what’s reality versus what’s just imagined or a “possibility”. It shows how the typical calmness of Heaven can all be an idea or interpretation. 

Links to Postmodern Media Source(s)

Tolstaya, Tatyana. Unnecessary Things, 2017. Xpress English

Here's the link: "Unnecessary Things"  

Okay, so basically Tolstaya doesn't literally say “a sock is having an argument with a button”, but she does give these objects unexpected amounts of life and character. She talks about them with an understanding that only humans should have… not a sock and button. For instance, she might describe an old raggedy slipper as having "an old soul" or she might say a collection of mundane buttons is a "chorus of choices." She provides them with a sense of their own history and identity. It is kind of like uhh what is going on, the more you read the more you’ll be questioning everything. It’s like watching a horror movie and then the further into it you get, the more scared you get at random sounds that you hear everyday.

My Take - In Paradise Lost, Milton questions nature and in Unnecessary Things, Tolstaya makes us as readers question what on earth she is talking about. Both of these are very similar to how the postmodern element of questioning reality is a challenge to our minds by mixing together different ideas.

Conclusion

And there you have it giggle game! In “The Game of Postmodernism: The Choice is Yours”, we discovered how the postmodern elements of paradox, questioning reality, and blending different perspectives make us think differently but also question the world that surrounds us. It’s all about challenging our opinions and beliefs, but also having fun with complex ideas. So don’t forget, next time you’re looking at a knotty question or idea, always remember, postmodernism is here to put some life into the party! 

Fifi McGiggles out!

Works Cited

Here's the link to my google doc!! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1as7xfYokJbSH7HvqhhgbOBQm0ZSaUsFnry5Tdfh42II/edit?tab=t.0