Nashville Great Books Discussion Group

A reader's group devoted to the discussion of meaningful books.

Monday, April 17, 2006

Milton's Paradise Lost: Books 6 - 10

Discussion questions from Book 10, on May 8:
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1. Is Adam's argument against suicide convincing?

2. Why does all of nature suffer for Man's transgression?

3. Was Satan successful in his plan?

Discussion questions from Book 9, on May 1:
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1. How persuasive was Eve that she and Adam should work separately? Was Adam responsible for what eventually happened?

2. How persuasive was Satan that Eve should taste the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil? How might Eve have refuted his arguments?

3. How did the relationship between Adam and Eve change after they tasted the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?

Discussion questions from Book 8, on April 24:
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1. What does it mean to be "lowly wise"?

2. Why according to Milton does God never get lonely, but people do?

3. Does Milton think marriage is a natural instinct?

Discussion questions from Book 7, on April 17:
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1. Who Does Milton intend to read his poem?

2. What is the purpose of knowledge, as defined in Book 7?

3. How should modern readers interpret Milton's story of creation?

Discussion questions from Book 6, on April 10:
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1. How is it that the angels had never felt pain before the war in Heaven?

2. How is the Son of God different from the good angels?

3. Is the concept of God given by Milton too primitive for modern readers?

Milton's Paradise Lost: Book 5

Discussion questions from the meeting on April 3:
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1. What causes dreams in Paradise?

2. How is prayer portrayed in Paradise?

3. In Paradise how can angels not only speak with Adam and Eve, but also eat with them?

Monday, April 10, 2006

Milton's Paradise Lost: Book 4

Discussion questions from meeting of March 27
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1. Is Satan pure evil?

2. Why is Eden different from Heaven?

3. What’s the relationship between Adam & Eve?