[Milton-L] Areopagitica in XXI

[Gregory Machacek]

Dear Mr. (Dario?) Gomez,

Welcome to the Milton discussion list.

Please be aware that you may find the members of this list somewhat
reluctant simply to "send you [their] tips."  Many of us are college
professors, and we're on guard against students throwing a question out
there, listening to us discuss it, and then presenting the results of that
overheard conversation as their response to their assignment.  We don't
want to see students short-circuit their professors' assignments in that
way.  I'm not saying that I think that is what *you* are trying to do.  I
just want to let you know that our response might not take the form that
your question implies you expect.

If the list of observations in your first e-mail is a list of your own
thoughts, and not just a paraphrase of the question your professor provided
you, I wouldn't say that you are by any means "running out of ideas."  In
fact, you might have too many.  Or rather, too many notions that you
haven't pushed forward to ideas.  Since your professor has asked you to
speak about how Aeropagitica is "alive in your life," I would pick the
topic or two from that earlier list in which you do really have a personal
interest, and for your speech, spend some time laying out in concrete terms
what the issue is, in say, filters as a form of censorship.  Then re-read
Aeropagitica with an eye for comments of Milton's that you think bear on
that issue somehow.  Try to state Milton's principles in your own words.
That might make applying them to 21st century situations more easy to do.

Keep in mind that when you deliver your presentation, you will need to read
your Miltonic passages slowly, and perhaps repeatedly, and then paraphrase
them in your own words, so that your audience will be able to understand
them.  I'm not proposing that as a way of chewing up time.  But recognize
that it will take time for you to walk your fellow students through
Milton's thoughts.  They should hear those arguments in Milton's own words,
as well as your paraphrase.

Good luck.

Greg Machacek
Professor of English
Marist College



                                                                           
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Dear all,]

Yhe reason why I am writing to you is because as a student of British
literature I have been asked to prepare a 45 minute speech about how
Areopagitica is still alive in our lives: freedom,love to books, seach for
truth... and the problem is that I am running out of ideas. I was wondering
if you all could send me your tips so that I can a major picture of Milton´
s tract.
Thank you very much
D Gomez_______________________________________________
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