The beauty of "the giant white smoke miltoning to heaven" comes because of the undefined quality of the word miltoning. In a regular metaphor, as beautiful as it might be, we can more or less equate clauses one to one to understand what is described. By using a neologism such as "miltoning" you get (at least) two possible outcomes. One, if you have never heard of Milton, you will maybe rely on the musical quality of the word and its position in the sentence to derive the meaning of the sentence (here it's not too complicated). Two, you've heard, or better yet, you've read Milton and will recall powerful images that you will then associate to the sentence you're reading. However, no matter what comes to your mind, it will be very undefined, ineffable, etc. As you cannot equate "miltoning" to any precise meaning. Your knowledge is what elevates the sentence, and your appreciation of Milton is what makes it an amazing sentence. In a way, Carson is quite cheeky. She asked Milton to turn a rather regular sentence into something epic without having to rely on anything but her reader's knowledge of another masterpiece. It's white smoke and mirrors miltoning to literary heaven.

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

Very, very well and artfully explicated, JD! Always appreciate hearing your keen take on things here.

Thank you for promoting brilliant work 🙏🏼

@LeafbyLeaf

15 күн бұрын

It is truly my pleasure!

it is extraordinary....i read the first week it was published and gave a copy to Marc Nash....i couldnt live without Carson and there is no one even close to doing what she does with the essay, the poetic form, classics, translation, etc....sui generis was created for her........lovely to see you taking her on....

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

How lovely! Did you give him the copy whilst in foggy London town? :)

@bluewordsme2

2 ай бұрын

@@LeafbyLeaf yes, i did...i gave him Norma and then John Ashbery edition of 3 long Prose Poems...he gave me some poetry...maybe some day the 3 of us can meet in london--it is a book lovers dream city.....great review Chris

Thank you for this wonderful video on the occasion of International Women's Day. I have only read Autobiography of Red but want to read more of her works and also reread them. There is something about her work which calls to me right now. This year I am hoping she is one of the top candidates for the Nobel. Wonderful video. 🙏🏽

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

My pleasure! (And thanks for noticing that I posted this on IWD.) I, too, agree that she is a top candidate for the Nobel. Her achievement is extraordinary in every way.

Your ongoing enthusiastic support of Anne Carson last year earned her a new reader, so thank you both. By the by, I've just finished reading A Room Of One's Own, which I'm sure Carson herself must have enjoyed.

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

Woohoo! Absolutely, she is a huge admirer of Woolf. (As am I.)

Your introduction about her appeal is spot on. Reading Eros The Bittersweet was the highlight of my reading last year. The way she approaches a topic and lets the meaning accumulate is a joy.

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

I am very fond of my introduction, which was directly inspired by reading her, of course, so thank you for the affirmation! I love way you've described it, too--very spot on yourself!

This was a very different exploration, to start, more a work of art in itself, a voice that allows for the book’s voice, done in the candle dark, ….great to watch you take more time in reading and capturing the atmosphere, that unitary multilayered right hemispheric sense that is at the heart of all great art.

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for the affirmation, Kieran! That opening bit was totally inspired by a long session of reading Carson herself. Art stimulating what I felt was a more creative approach than what I normally do.

@kieran_forster_artist

2 ай бұрын

The more the better Chris… a great evocation of the spirit of a book!

Seems like I need Carson in my life

@timkjazz

2 ай бұрын

The Beauty of the Husband

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

We all do.

I am quite excited to get to this one. But first I think I wanna reread Glass, Irony, and God --- that book is gonna hit so hard given my more recent thinking about poem-essays

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

Oh, yes, that one and _Plainwater)_ !

I see a library annex in your future Chris! Thanks for the lovely readings.

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

It is really a pleasure! (I have to admit, I'm not certain what you mean by the library annex, but you've intrigued me.)

@robotummy

2 ай бұрын

@@LeafbyLeaf I think they mean you'll soon need a new room to house all the books on the floor (;

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

Ahhhh! 🤣😜

It is extraordinary. I recommend the book Recollections of things to come by Elena Garro

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for this recommendation!

Love you channel man 🎉✨☀️👍

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

Your room is amazing.

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

Thank you--it's literally a dream come true for me!

Hi Chris, i got this for my kindle, looks so sumptuous!! Are you considering ever having a Patreon? I'd love to join if you decide to, since i'm already joined with 2 of my other favorite booktubers. Thanks as always for your content.

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

Hey there! Glad you are interested in this wonderful book, and I really appreciate your kind words. At present, I don't have any plans for a Patreon (mainly because I have no clue how I'd find the time to manage it). I consider all my content a gift borne out of my love for reading. If you do feel so compelled to throw some thanks my way (beyond commenting, which, for me, is thanks enough), you can "buy me a coffee" via the link in the video description. All best! --Chris

@jeff8835

2 ай бұрын

You're a blessing, and thanks for your gift, coffee's on me. @@LeafbyLeaf

Just wondered from your accent are you from Pennsylvania?

@LeafbyLeaf

2 ай бұрын

No, but I've gotten that before. I am very sensitive to others' accents and have picked up an amalgamation of accents from Maryland, Virginia, Buffalo, and North Carolina. It's a mutt on an accent. Oh, I'm from Virginia, raised by Marylanders.