Martin Meisel discusses how and why Western writers and artists have imagined chaos. For example, in his epic poem Paradise Lost, John Milton places chaos second only to chance as a counterpoint to humankind’s desire for order and unity. Meisel also analyzes the concept of chaos as being in direct opposition to ideas of harmony, expressed at both the personal and social levels.
At the time of this interview, Meisel, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center (1983-84), was professor of English at Columbia University.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
