| ENGL 5134: Studies in Eighteenth-Century Literature Samuel Johnson Professor Radcliffe |
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Samuel Johnson dominated literary London like few writers before or since; rising from a humble provincial background and years spent in poverty, he slowly emerged as the "Grand Cham" at a particularly critical moment in literary history. Though a classical scholar himself, Johnson was influential in raising the prestige of English literature, a feat which he accomplished less through his original writings (important as they were) than through his Dictionary, Shakespeare edition, and Lives of the Poets. Johnson was equally at home in the hitherto distinct worlds of scholarship and commercial publishing; by bringing them together in these three vast projects he brought literary studies into the modern era. In his lifetime and since, Johnson was respected as a wise and good man, a stylish writer and an oracle of wisdom. He was also a deeply troubled man, difficult to live with, depressed, frightened, and given to outbursts of pessimism and aggression. When Boswell, Johnson's friend and biographer, brought to light this darker, private side of his character, the paradoxical effect was to raise Johnson's stature even more.
In this seminar we will be equally concerned with Johnson's writings, his life, and his times; to the extent possible we will use each to illuminate the others. Johnson was a many-sided figure who had important things to say on many topics that continue to be of interest today. Members of the seminar are encouraged to bring their own interests to the table, developing a particular thread as we read through the major writings that can then be developed into a seminar. Over the centuries more has been written about Johnson than just about in figure in English literature save Shakespeare, so there will be no lack of things to write and talk about. Rather than look at Johnson through a particular critical lens, I hope to develop a many-sided conversation based on our own experiences of life and literature. To help get this going, in addition to Johnson's works we will read Walter Jackson Bate's critical biography (highly regarded as a literary work in its own right) and Alvin Kernan's social history of Johnson's life and times.
Texts are available at the bookstore. Evaluation will be based on class participation (25%) periodic short essays (25%) and a research paper of 15-25 pp. (50%).
Carlyle, The Hero as Man of Letters