Abstract
The epic poem Paradise Lost (1667, 74) retells the Biblical creation story through the blind eyes of the Christian political-poet John Milton. Three hundred years later, Milton’s work is recast by the atheist children’s and fantasy novelist Philip Pullman in the His Dark Materials trilogy (1995, 97, 2000). Although one might assume that these two writers’ perspectives would contradict one another, Pullman’s adaptation—though a perverted story of the Fall—still pursues the same goal as Milton’s by imagining a new and better social structure. And not only do they share that goal, but they also explore the same mechanism—free will.
Thesis Record URL
Location
Buller Hallway
Start Date
3-7-2014 2:30 PM
End Date
3-7-2014 4:00 PM
P-03 Republic ‘on Earth as it is in Heaven:’ the Freedom of the Fall in Paradise Lost and His Dark Materials
Buller Hallway
The epic poem Paradise Lost (1667, 74) retells the Biblical creation story through the blind eyes of the Christian political-poet John Milton. Three hundred years later, Milton’s work is recast by the atheist children’s and fantasy novelist Philip Pullman in the His Dark Materials trilogy (1995, 97, 2000). Although one might assume that these two writers’ perspectives would contradict one another, Pullman’s adaptation—though a perverted story of the Fall—still pursues the same goal as Milton’s by imagining a new and better social structure. And not only do they share that goal, but they also explore the same mechanism—free will.
Acknowledgments
J.N. Andrews Honors Scholar
Advisor: L. Monique Pittman, English