8.2 Johnson's major works and critical reception

Samuel Johnson's major works span poetry, criticism, and lexicography. His influential Dictionary of the English Language and literary criticism, like "Lives of the Poets," solidified his status as a literary authority. Johnson's writing style, characterized by balanced sentences and moral reflections, shaped English prose.

Johnson's critical reception evolved from contemporary praise to enduring academic influence. His approach to literary criticism, emphasizing moral instruction and practical wisdom, sparked debates on literature's role in society. Johnson's works continue to be studied for their insights into 18th-century culture and universal human experiences.

Johnson's Major Works

Poetic Compositions and Literary Criticism

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• Johnson's poem 'London' (1738) imitates Juvenal's Third Satire
  • Uses heroic couplets to critique urban corruption and moral decay in 18th-century London
  • Reflects Johnson's early engagement with classical satire and contemporary social issues
• 'The Vanity of Human Wishes' (1749) expands on themes from Juvenal's Tenth Satire
  • Explores futility of human desires and ambitions through historical and contemporary examples (Alexander the Great, Charles XII of Sweden)
  • Demonstrates Johnson's skill in adapting classical themes to 18th-century contexts
• 'The Lives of the Poets' (1779-81) showcases Johnson's literary criticism and biographical approach
  • Combines factual information with moral judgments on poets' lives and works
  • Covers 52 poets, ranging from the well-known (Milton, Pope) to lesser-known figures (Edmund Smith, Richard Savage)

Stylistic and Structural Elements

• Johnson's prose style characterized by balanced sentences, antithesis, and periodic structure
  • Reflects commitment to clarity and precision in language
  • Example of balanced sentence: "What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence"
• Structure of Johnson's works often follows logical progression
  • Moves from general observations to specific examples
  • Concludes with moral reflections or practical advice
  • This approach evident in essays from 'The Rambler' and 'The Idler'

Thematic Focus and Classical Influence

• Johnson's recurring themes include:
  • Exploration of human nature
  • Pursuit of happiness
  • Dangers of ambition
  • Importance of moral virtue in society
• Classical literature, particularly Latin authors, heavily influences Johnson's works
  • Form: Imitations and adaptations (Juvenal's satires)
  • Content: Moral philosophy and satire (Stoicism, Horace)
  • Use of exempla from ancient history to illustrate moral points

Critical Reception of Johnson

Contemporary Reception and Immediate Impact

• Johnson's early works, such as 'London', well-received by contemporary critics
  • Established his reputation as skilled poet and social commentator
  • Praised for its wit, moral force, and poetic craftsmanship
• Publication of Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language (1755) solidified his status
  • Recognized as literary authority and lexicographer
  • Influenced development of English lexicography for centuries
  • Praised for comprehensive definitions and illustrative quotations
• 'Lives of the Poets' initially commissioned as series of prefaces
  • Evolved into major work of literary criticism
  • Established Johnson as prominent biographer and critic
  • Received mixed reactions: praised for insight, criticized for perceived biases

Enduring Influence and Academic Reception

• Johnson's literary criticism, particularly 'Preface to Shakespeare' (1765), highly influential
  • Shaped reception and interpretation of Shakespeare's works
  • Emphasized Shakespeare's realism and universal themes
  • Defended Shakespeare against neoclassical criticisms
• Critical approach emphasized moral instruction and practical wisdom
  • Influenced subsequent generations of critics and writers (Romantic poets)
  • Sparked debates on the role of morality in literary criticism
• "Johnsonian style" of prose writing became model for English prose
  • Characterized by formality, balance, and precision
  • Influenced late 18th and early 19th-century writers (Edmund Burke, Edward Gibbon)
• Johnson's enduring influence evident in continued academic study
  • Works regularly included in university curricula
  • Subject of numerous scholarly publications and conferences
  • Ongoing relevance of moral and philosophical insights to contemporary issues

Satire, Wit, and Morality in Johnson's Writings

Satirical Techniques and Social Criticism

• Johnson employs satire as tool for social criticism
  • Targets human vices, political corruption, and societal follies
  • Examples: 'London' critiques urban decay, 'The Vanity of Human Wishes' mocks human ambition
• Satirical techniques include:
  • Irony (understated or verbal)
  • Exaggeration (hyperbole)
  • Use of fictional personas (Rambler, Idler) to highlight societal flaws
• Combines classical satirical traditions with contemporary observations
  • Adapts Juvenalian satire to 18th-century London
  • Incorporates topical references and current events into satirical framework

Wit and Rhetorical Devices

• Johnson's wit characterized by:
  • Clever wordplay (puns, double entendres)
  • Aphorisms ("Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel")
  • Epigrammatic statements conveying complex ideas concisely
• Rhetorical devices employed for memorable effect:
  • Antithesis ("To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition")
  • Parallelism ("What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure")
  • Paradox ("The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken")

Moral Instruction and Ethical Guidance

• Moral instruction central aspect of Johnson's writing
  • Reflects belief in literature's role as vehicle for ethical guidance
  • Aims to improve readers' character and conduct
• Periodical essays in 'The Rambler' and 'The Idler' combine wit and moral instruction
  • Address wide range of social, philosophical, and literary topics
  • Example: Rambler No. 4 on the dangers of imagination and the importance of practical wisdom
• Literary criticism evaluates works based on moral content
  • Assesses potential for instructing readers
  • Seen in commentary on Shakespeare and other poets in 'Lives of the Poets'
• Combination of satire, wit, and moral instruction reflects Augustan ideals
  • Literature as both entertaining and edifying
  • Horatian principle of "dulce et utile" (sweet and useful)

Johnson's Contributions to English Literature

Development of the English Essay

• Johnson's periodical essays in 'The Rambler' (1750-52) and 'The Idler' (1758-60) established English essay as serious literary form
  • Combined personal reflection with social commentary and moral instruction
  • Total of 208 essays in 'The Rambler' and 103 in 'The Idler'
• Expanded range of topics addressed in essay genre:
  • Literary criticism (analysis of metaphysical poets)
  • Moral philosophy (reflections on human nature)
  • Everyday life observations (city life, social customs)
• Johnson's approach to essay writing emphasized:
  • Clarity in expression
  • Logical structure (often moving from general to specific)
  • Use of concrete examples to illustrate abstract ideas
  • Set standard for expository prose in English literature

Innovations in Biography Writing

• Johnson's biographical writings, particularly 'Lives of the Poets', revolutionized biography genre
  • Combined factual information with critical analysis
  • Included moral evaluation of subject's character and works
  • Established precedent for literary biography as distinct genre
• "Johnsonian method" of biography influenced subsequent biographers:
  • Incorporation of anecdotes and personal observations
  • Critical judgments on subject's works and character
  • Balanced approach to praise and criticism
• Helped shape modern concept of literary biography:
  • Emphasis on subject's development as writer
  • Analysis of historical and cultural context
  • Exploration of relationship between life and work

Integration of Classical and Contemporary Elements

• Johnson's contributions reflect integration of classical influences with contemporary concerns
  • Bridged gap between ancient wisdom and modern sensibilities
  • Example: Use of classical forms (satire) to address 18th-century issues
• Innovations in essay and biography writing influenced later writers and critics
  • Developed these genres as important forms of literary and cultural discourse
  • Established models for balancing scholarly rigor with popular appeal
• Johnson's work contributed to:
  • Standardization of English language (through his Dictionary)
  • Development of literary criticism as scholarly discipline
  • Preservation and evaluation of English literary tradition