Adam and Eve Breaking the Social Construct With John...

Man above woman, or woman above man? For the entirety of human civilization, this question of gender hierarchy has been divisive issue. Regardless, Milton does not hesitate to join the heat of the battle, and project his thoughts to the world. Since the publication of Paradise Lost, many of Milton’s readers have detected in his illustration of the prelapsarian couple, particularly of Adam, a powerful patriarchal sentiment: â€Å"he for God only, and she for God in him† (Milton, IV.299). In essence, this idea declares that Adam and Eve possess unequal roles – Adam is better than Eve, as men are better than women, in accordance to the deeply conventional reading of the relations between the sexes. Eve’s purpose for Adam makes her less†¦show more content†¦At first sight, he is spiritually attracted to Eve because she was created from his rib: â€Å"His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent / Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart, / Substant ial life, to have thee by my side† (IV.483-485). Consequently, Adam immediately loves her, since he feels a strong manifestation of himself in her. However, a problem arises when Adam’s love for Eve transforms into passion, two distinct emotions that are identified by the angel Rafael: â€Å"In loving thou dost well; in passion not, / Wherein true love consist not. Love refines / The thoughts, and heart enlarges hath his seat in reason† (VIII.588-590). Love and passion are different because the former â€Å"refines† reason while the latter corrupts it – passion can be dangerous to reason. However, in his discussion with Rafael, Adam’s initial depiction of Eve hints that he feels both love and passion for Eve. In describing her, Adam says: Her loveliness, so absolute she seems And in herself complete, so well to know Her own, that what she wills to do or say, Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best: All higher Knowledge in her presence falls Degraded; Wisdom in discourse with her Loses †¦ (VIII.447-452) He confesses that his passion for Eve overpowers his own reason. He feels that this passion exceeds his own self-control andShow MoreRelatedFrankenstein Study Guide14107 Words   |  57 Pagesyoung scientist brings on his own destruction by constructing an artificial man and bringing it to life. Through the characters of Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, this powerful novel explores the themes of ambition, science, moral responsibility, social isolation, and psychological balance. With its wild and desolate settings and its supernatural being, Frankenstein is an example of the gothic novel. With a scientific fantasy at the center of its plot, the novel is also regarded as a forerunner of