CliffsNotes on Milton’s Paradise Lost by Bob Linn is our latest Braille release for students of literature. Paradise Lost by John Milton (December 9, 1608 – November 8, 1674) is included in the syllabus for every student of English literature all over the world. Students have to study at least parts of this great epic at some stage or the other during draduate or post graduate level. In India most students have to read Books I and IV of Milton’s Paradise Lost.
Students find it difficult to grasp the poet’s grand style. Milton poetic style is not just difficult to follow, it is unique in many ways. Bob Linn has thrown some light on this issue in this book. T.S. Eliot wrote in “A Note on the Verse of John Milton” (Martz 12–18), “Milton’s poetry could only be an influence for the worse, upon any poet whatever.” The general thrust of Eliot’s criticism is that Milton’s purposely adopted grand style is both so difficult to accomplish and so complicated (in places) to understand that it causes a deterioration in the poetic style of those who are influenced by it and cannot meet its demands. “In fact,” said Eliot, “it was an influence against which we still have to struggle.”
There were, of course, strong defenders on Milton’s side, C.S. Lewis and Christopher Ricks, whose defences have received due attention in this book. This CliffsNotes book on Paradise Lost has as usual Book by Book summary and analysis. It has discussions on the characters and some very good hints on different themes used in Paradise Lost.
Availability
Complete in three Braille volumes, this book will cost INR 216. Students may collect it for just INR :30. Visit our online catalogue for information on purchase details and other titles. You may also check other CliffsNotes books in Braille available from this Braille press.