In progressing through this course, I have gained a deeper understanding of how differing perspectives can vastly alter the significance of a piece of literature regardless of its age and level of coverage by literary scholars. Being given the opportunity to read Othello and immediately follow it up with American Moor, I was able to… Read more Integrated Perspective in Medieval Literature
aidanchaisson
Gender Parity as the Foundation for Utopia
Explorations into the concept of utopian society tend to prioritize observation over explanation. Generally speaking, a Utopia features “no heaven… no hell… no countries… no religion… no possessions… no need for greed or hunger… a brotherhood of man,” and a world that “will live as one” (Lennon). This emphasis on the elimination of manmade societal… Read more Gender Parity as the Foundation for Utopia
Blazing World, Collab 2
Cavendish pt. 2 question
In the latter half of The Blazing World, the Empress makes a number of inquisitions into the animal-men scientists’ practices, experiments, and motives. In one such instance, she asks for details regarding the strength of their perceptions compared to the strength of their microscopes and other tools. The scene is narrated as follows: “Then the… Read more Cavendish pt. 2 question
The Blazing World, collab 1
Cavendish pt. 1 reflection
Prior to our in-class discussion of The Blazing World and “It is Hard to Believe There Are Other Worlds in this World,” I was approaching Cavendish’s work with a focus on the presence of colonialism and imperialism as commentary on European exploration in the Americas during the 17th century. While the argument that The Blazing… Read more Cavendish pt. 1 reflection
“The Blazing World” 1-30 question
The first section of Cavendish’s The Blazing World is primarily a description of the Blazing-World and its inhabitants. The society the Lady finds herself welcomed into–and, shortly thereafter, made to rule over–is said to be utterly distinct from any European civilization. These details in particular led me to formulate a question regarding Cavendish’s possible social… Read more “The Blazing World” 1-30 question
Paradise Lost Book 9/Wollstonecraft Question
Mary Wollstonecraft’s criticism of Paradise Lost asserts that Milton’s depiction of Eve grants her—and, consequently, all women—minimal authority in life alongside men. She writes that “Women are told from their infancy, and taught by the example of their mothers, that a little knowledge of human weakness, justly termed cunning, softness of temper, outward obedience, and a scrupulous… Read more Paradise Lost Book 9/Wollstonecraft Question