Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, explores the literary elements of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, and then considers its afterlife in two major literary works: John Milton’s brilliant epic, Paradise Lost, and John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, a modern-day classic. Luzzi explains the rhetorical structures of the Bible and provides a sense of how its brilliant storytelling techniques shaped the development of modern literature.
10–11 a.m. What Makes the Bible Literature?
Luzzi discusses the storytelling techniques, literary devices, and linguistic structures that make the Bible such an extraordinary example of literature.
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Genesis: A Literary Anatomy
Luzzi explores Genesis for its key themes as well as literary tools and techniques, especially its groundbreaking understanding of linguistic effects.
12:15–12:45 p.m. Break
12:45–1:45 p.m. Milton’s Biblical Vision
Luzzi considers how Milton rewrites major aspects of Genesis in his epic poem, Paradise Lost from 1667.
2–3 p.m. Steinbeck’s Eden
Luzzi provides insights into how and why Genesis figures into Steinbeck’s classic modern novel East of Eden from 1952.
General Information
