I came across Areopagitica two days ago , at Blackwell’s, a bookshop I expect you know well dear Karen. It was one of the only sunny days Oxford had this autumn and I walked with my son across Magdalen bridge and right across town and I thought if you as I bought the book and how lovely it would be if you came and gave a talk there. (Areopagitica was hidden in the poetry section!!! Imagine!!!!)
As you know, I have read your memoir, and I especially appreciated this chapter. During my youth in a very controlling homeschool program, my father wouldn't have blacked out my assignments - he didn't appreciate Atwood, but he left my reading choices to me - but I knew parents in the same program who did black things out in books.
In a way, my parents giving me the freedom to choose for myself while the curriculum set impossibly high standards only increased the pressure for me. I would be in turmoil over whether I ought to read a book with a little swearing or look at a art book that probably had unclothed people. My struggles with religious scrupulosity didn't help. I am glad my parents gave me freedom, it is the program that was unnecessary torment.
Such complicated issues all the way around. I can see how the freedom your parents gave you was brought into conflict with the curriculum and context.
Somewhat related, something just came across my social media feed reporting on how new college students don’t want to go far from home or to a school where they don’t already have friends. And this is seemingly owing to poor socialization skills and lack of confidence among this age group. Certainly much in the world has cultivated that but it seems like families are increasingly in “helicopter” mode. I get how that might be appealing for the short term but it certainly isn’t for the long term of individual health and community health.
I appreciate you bringing up that particular set of tensions that you experienced, Holly.
Your student's father reminds me of the parents who harangued me for teaching Ron Hansen's Mariette in Ecstasy. (For those unfamiliar with it, it's the story of a young woman who experiences stigmata and believes it to be a manifestation of divine grace.) It can be a discomfiting story, but one that raises a lot of interesting questions about miracles, grace, knowledge, the conflicts of righteousness and motivations, etc.
I haven't read Atwood, but I believe every English professor has those decisions on "yes, I would teach that" and "no, I wouldn't teach that." I did not teach Mariette for long, but I don't regret it. I do think we should always be ready to explain our choices, and then stand by them. If we can't, then we shouldn't.
But Milton is right, for our students as well as for ourselves. I suppose many parents exist who would both object to Atwood's "Rape Fantasies" and/or Mariette in Ecstasy AND expect a daughter to support a multi-millionaire who has bragged about not keeping his hands to himself.
No doubt, some choices are sketchy. You say John Cleland (whom I haven't read), I say John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester (who might have some literary merit, but I don't much care). Ooh, those 18th Century men. If we let Milton guide us, virtue will be more about having fortitude than about taking offense.
Was it for that same professor that you happened to first read Areopagitica?
It was the same professor who told me about Areopagitica, but I then read it on my own.
I do think that we as professors need to prepare our students and justify our choices. And I also think that there are differences between what a freshman might benefit from reading versus an upper level English major and so on. But a parent blacking out a college age daughter’s reading…yikes. Fortunately, the administration all the way to the top supported the professor and me.
I came across Areopagitica two days ago , at Blackwell’s, a bookshop I expect you know well dear Karen. It was one of the only sunny days Oxford had this autumn and I walked with my son across Magdalen bridge and right across town and I thought if you as I bought the book and how lovely it would be if you came and gave a talk there. (Areopagitica was hidden in the poetry section!!! Imagine!!!!)
I love Blackwell's!
I'd bet that Areopagitica is in more than one location there. Poetry, Oxford Classics, among the Penguins, maybe even political classics.
Oh, wow! What a blessed find!!! (I suppose someone saw Milton’s name and assumed it was poetry. 🤷♀️)
And, yes, that would be very lovely. 😊
As you know, I have read your memoir, and I especially appreciated this chapter. During my youth in a very controlling homeschool program, my father wouldn't have blacked out my assignments - he didn't appreciate Atwood, but he left my reading choices to me - but I knew parents in the same program who did black things out in books.
In a way, my parents giving me the freedom to choose for myself while the curriculum set impossibly high standards only increased the pressure for me. I would be in turmoil over whether I ought to read a book with a little swearing or look at a art book that probably had unclothed people. My struggles with religious scrupulosity didn't help. I am glad my parents gave me freedom, it is the program that was unnecessary torment.
Such complicated issues all the way around. I can see how the freedom your parents gave you was brought into conflict with the curriculum and context.
Somewhat related, something just came across my social media feed reporting on how new college students don’t want to go far from home or to a school where they don’t already have friends. And this is seemingly owing to poor socialization skills and lack of confidence among this age group. Certainly much in the world has cultivated that but it seems like families are increasingly in “helicopter” mode. I get how that might be appealing for the short term but it certainly isn’t for the long term of individual health and community health.
I appreciate you bringing up that particular set of tensions that you experienced, Holly.
I’ve never heard of Areopagitica and am now looking forward to the challenge. I’ve heard about “The Mary We Forgot” and am eager to read it.
I hope you enjoy both, Mel!
Your student's father reminds me of the parents who harangued me for teaching Ron Hansen's Mariette in Ecstasy. (For those unfamiliar with it, it's the story of a young woman who experiences stigmata and believes it to be a manifestation of divine grace.) It can be a discomfiting story, but one that raises a lot of interesting questions about miracles, grace, knowledge, the conflicts of righteousness and motivations, etc.
I haven't read Atwood, but I believe every English professor has those decisions on "yes, I would teach that" and "no, I wouldn't teach that." I did not teach Mariette for long, but I don't regret it. I do think we should always be ready to explain our choices, and then stand by them. If we can't, then we shouldn't.
But Milton is right, for our students as well as for ourselves. I suppose many parents exist who would both object to Atwood's "Rape Fantasies" and/or Mariette in Ecstasy AND expect a daughter to support a multi-millionaire who has bragged about not keeping his hands to himself.
No doubt, some choices are sketchy. You say John Cleland (whom I haven't read), I say John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester (who might have some literary merit, but I don't much care). Ooh, those 18th Century men. If we let Milton guide us, virtue will be more about having fortitude than about taking offense.
Was it for that same professor that you happened to first read Areopagitica?
It was the same professor who told me about Areopagitica, but I then read it on my own.
I do think that we as professors need to prepare our students and justify our choices. And I also think that there are differences between what a freshman might benefit from reading versus an upper level English major and so on. But a parent blacking out a college age daughter’s reading…yikes. Fortunately, the administration all the way to the top supported the professor and me.