[Milton-L] Professor Pfieffer recites Milton from memory!

[Yuko Nii]

Professor Pfieffer will next perform this amazing feat at John  
Milton's birthday celebration at the Williamsburg Art & Historical  
Center, Fall 2008
email us to be put on the invitation list to the Grand Paradise Lost  
Costume Ball! Regards, Terrance Lindall
http://wahcenter.net/exhibits/2008/milton400/
Prof memorizes 'Paradise Lost'
Heather HodderIssue date: 4/3/08 Section: Campus
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Media Credit: Christine Lockerby
PARADISE LOST | Douglas Pfieffer recited an entire book from memory  
last night at NYU.

Have you ever memorized an entire book?

Professor Douglas Pfieffer did just that.

To celebrate John Milton's 400th birthday, the author of the English  
epic "Paradise Lost" was honored in an event sponsored by the General  
Studies Program. Douglas Pfieffer, professor at SUNY-Stony Brook,  
recited Book 1 of "Paradise Lost" entirely from memory.

This was Pfieffer's eighth recitation for a university audience. He  
performed for the first time in 2000 when he saw an ad for a "Paradise  
Lost" marathon reading at Barnard College.

He turned recitation into performance by using the tables and chairs  
at Provincetown Playhouse as props. Students followed along in their  
books and were surprised by his accuracy.

"Usually when you read something like that, you read it to yourself in  
your head. But to have someone else read it to you is a lot  
different," GSP freshman Laura Wierichs said.

Yet many students were puzzled by what inspired Pfieffer to take on  
this challenge.

"Why Paradise Lost?" GSP freshman Lauren Panariello asked at the Q-and- 
A session following the recitation. He explained that Milton is  
actually easier to memorize than other writers. "Every word, even a  
preposition, feels placed," Pfieffer said.

For someone who memorizes not only Milton but other works for fun,  
Pfieffer actually admits to not having a good memory: He attributes  
his ability to memorize to "hating to wait for the subway."


Heather Hodder is a staff writer. E-mail her at campus at nyunews.com.
On Apr 12, 2008, at 3:55 PM, Carol Barton wrote:

> Thanks, Lorayne (and Carl, et al.). There's obviously nothing wrong  
> with this connection, anyway. I do appreciate the feedback, though,  
> since in cyberspace, one never knows . . .
>
> All best,
>
> Carol
>
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> Milton-L at lists.richmond.edu
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