Your complaints are already responded to within the text I wrote. The problem is not that Milton includes misogynistic material, it's that the misogynism BECOMES the material. I am not saying that feminism was set back to the year 1615 because this is published in 1665, I'm saying that I'm surprised people in the modern day accept this kind of text without questioning it. And that last point is significant because a piece of literature may have its historical importance, but it doesn't truly "stand the test of time" unless people of the times continually test what it stands for.
I do not believe that a text's classification absolves it from being critically received. I have never cared how popular or how historical a text is when reading it, I care only about what it has to say. Milton's theological tale of Universal love and self-sacrifice is burdened by his problematic views on women, and unfortunately the text is not redeemed beyond his insistence to that matter. In fact, Milton repetitively refers to the weakness and silliness of women continually throughout the text, but I didn't bother to list it because it's basically on every friggin' page. The fact that people are willing to look beyond it to see what else he is doing is fine, but there is no ignoring it.
And despite the comments and responses above, my focus in this bookfail review is specifically Milton and Paradise Lost. I am not saying that misogynistic or sexist material automatically destroys a piece of literature and makes it unworthy of reading or accepting, because indeed as the comments point out that would remove much of the history of literature entirely. I am saying specifically that MILTON's own attitude is revolting, and in that mode I agree completely!!! with the statement "it gives a snapshot into the author's mindset about a lot of things." That's actually precisely what I was saying.
I do not think that I am in disagreement with either of you (uglynoodles nor cesaretech). What I do disagree with is that a text's placement in cultural history or classic literature absolves it from being critically interpretated, which may be me misreading what you are saying. EVERYBODY should have "a considerable amount of brass" when reading literature, else what are they reading it for?
I do not believe that a text's classification absolves it from being critically received. I have never cared how popular or how historical a text is when reading it, I care only about what it has to say. Milton's theological tale of Universal love and self-sacrifice is burdened by his problematic views on women, and unfortunately the text is not redeemed beyond his insistence to that matter. In fact, Milton repetitively refers to the weakness and silliness of women continually throughout the text, but I didn't bother to list it because it's basically on every friggin' page. The fact that people are willing to look beyond it to see what else he is doing is fine, but there is no ignoring it.
And despite the comments and responses above, my focus in this bookfail review is specifically Milton and Paradise Lost. I am not saying that misogynistic or sexist material automatically destroys a piece of literature and makes it unworthy of reading or accepting, because indeed as the comments point out that would remove much of the history of literature entirely. I am saying specifically that MILTON's own attitude is revolting, and in that mode I agree completely!!! with the statement "it gives a snapshot into the author's mindset about a lot of things." That's actually precisely what I was saying.
I do not think that I am in disagreement with either of you (uglynoodles nor cesaretech). What I do disagree with is that a text's placement in cultural history or classic literature absolves it from being critically interpretated, which may be me misreading what you are saying. EVERYBODY should have "a considerable amount of brass" when reading literature, else what are they reading it for?
--PolarisDiB
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