madeline may write

Because sharing is what humans do best…

For my paper I’m exploring thematic and poetic integrity in Paradise Lost, focusing on Kerrigan’s ontological vegetable and other vegetative images. Basically, that means I’m expanding on the second half of my presentation, trying to show that Milton was committed to a universe that was truly “one matter all.” The whole of creation is one big ontological vegetable. So, as I did in my presentation, I will look in depth at a small section of Book V and then several passages from Book VII. I don’t have an introduction just yet–they’re too hard to write–but here is an outline of what I hope to accomplish with my paper:

1. Define ‘integrity’ as I mean it in reference to Milton – this will probably happen in the introduction, to get me in the ballpark for my actual argument
2. See this integrity illustrated
   1. In a single passage (Kerrigan and the ontological vegetable) – this will segue from the introduction to the body of MY argument
   2. In Book VII
      1. Images of the Earth as seed
      2. Images of the plants
      3. Images of the animals as plants
      4. The creation of Man – how it is a part of the pattern, how it is different

 I’m especially interested in exploring how Man’s creation differs from the rest of Book VII. There are some interesting ways that it departs from the plant model, but at the same time it is still a part of the whole. I don’t know how thoroughly I’ll work these issues out, but I will at least raise some questions. It am part of the critical dialogue, yes?

I’m going to be relying heavily on Kerrigan as my theoretical base, but I think I’ll pull in other critics here and there. We shall see.

I’d be interested to hear any suggestions, comments, or questions you have about this. I think it should turn out fairly well, although I suppose only time will tell on that.

Good luck to you with your work! Only a few days left of this bizarre and wonderful Milton experience…