12. Samuel Johnson.pptx jhabbhis jsvsjbb

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1. The Critical Brilliance of Samuel Johnson AN EXPLORATION OF HIS LITERARY CRITICISM

2. Introduction Best known for: two-volume  Dictionary of the English Language (1755) and Lives of the English Poets (1783) Distinguished career as poet, biographer, essayist and journalist. His contribution to English criticism 🡪 laid foundation for literary canon (standards) As a literary critic he was an exponent of classicism. He condemned everything that did not conform to classical doctrines.

3. Johnson as a critic Direct and invaluable knowledge of the creative process his pronouncements represent a lifelong interest in and association with literature . Johnson was an empirical critic.  Johnson's beliefs and his statements of them have frequently been interpreted as excessively dogmatic. Critics 🡪 choose to view Johnson as an eccentric, the last defender of an obsolete neo-classical tradition Truth, nature and reason were basic to Johnson's criticism. Did not favor rigid standards in literary text or strict following of rules conventions + reason and common sense

4. Practical Criticism  Johnson is the first English critic to attempt a systematic work in the field of practical criticism . It is as much a history of the English poetry of this period as a work of criticism. Johnson's literary criticism is particularly noteworthy for its depth, insight, and originality. His critical writings cover a wide range of genres and authors, including Shakespeare, Milton, Pope, and Swift, among others. His “ Lives of the Poets ” is a biographical + critical account of fifty two poets from Cowley to Gray covering a period of a hundred years.

5. Johnson’s Approach to Literary Criticism Johnson believed that the primary purpose of literary criticism was to help readers understand and appreciate works of literature. He emphasized the importance of studying the historical and cultural context in which a work was written, as well as the author's intentions and the techniques they used to convey their message. Johnson also believed that literary criticism should be grounded in reason and common sense, rather than arbitrary rules or personal preferences. He famously declared that; ' the business of the critic is not to find fault, but to show beauties .'

6. Value of Criticism Johnson is the last great critic of the neo - classical school. He has a code of conduct both for the writer and the critic. In his historical approach to an author’s work he questions the validity of the same rules for all ages. He pleads for suitable adjustments in them in the light of the author’s environment . His other test of excellence – ‘the general and continued approbation of mankind’ (which he applies to Shakespeare) also disposes of the necessity of rules . Neo – Classicism stresses the means – the rules, as they are called – no less than the end. Johnson’s test stresses the end only.

7. Ancients vs. Neo-classicism There were the rules of the ancients and those of the neo – classicists. subject to change 🡪 ‘ every new genius produces some innovation which subverts the rules which the practice of foregoing authors had established ’ says Dr.Johnson. They could be divided into two categories – the fundamental and indispensable 🡪 based on nature and reason; and those that were ‘ merely useful and convenient ’ 🡪 deriving their force from earlier practice. No writer could bypass the former 🡪 free to follow or not to follow the latter. Johnson subjects the work to the test of time. No doubt, Johnson is a neo – classical critic but never stands for a blind reverence to authority, ancient or modern 🡪 He is for liberty.

8. On Kinds of Poetry, Versification and Poetic Diction  Johnson considers the epic superior to all other forms of verse. Following the French neoclassicists, Epic poetry teaches the most important truths by the most pleasing percepts. Among the verse forms the Pastoral and the Pindaric ode 🡪 made the least impression on him. may not please the readers of the modern age. He is for regular meters and rhymes. 🡪 prefers the heroic couplet to all other stanza forms. He also defines the language of poetry : ‘Not all words are fit for poetry’, says Johnson. ‘Words too familiar or too remote’ defeat the purpose of a poet.

9. On Drama Drama must hold up ‘a faithful mirror of manners and of life’. It should present ‘human sentiments in human language’. A great play is not a story of a few men in one particular age, but through them, of all men in all ages: the actions, thoughts and passions. Among the three unities, Johnson says that only the unity of action is justified by reason. He follows a very realistic approach on the tragic - comedy. the alternation of pleasure and pain in a play pleases by its variety and it reflects life.

10. Three issues in his Preface the question of establishing poet’s status, the relationship between a poet and nature, and the question of nature and experience against criticism and set conventions. 

11. Truth and Facts   'The Preface to Shakespeare' 🡪 Johnson's judgment of Shakespeare as a dramatist. Dr. Johnson defends Shakespeare for his mingling of the tragic and comic elements in his plays 🡪 on the grounds of realism and historical background . According to Johnson, the basic requirement of literary greatness is fidelity to facts of nature. This is clearly the neo-classical theory of art as imitation. Johnson praises Shakespeare for meeting this requirement fully and most satisfactorily. According to him, Shakespeare is, par excellence, the poet of nature + realism He holds up to his readers a faithful mirror of manners and of life . His characters have a realistic and universal appeal 🡪 They act and speak like human beings. His depiction of the truth of human nature and human psychology 🡪 love is not the only emotion that impacts the totality of life Full of practical axioms and domestic wisdom

12. Three Unities Shakespeare 🡪 neglect of the unities of time and place. But Johnson defends him in this matter. He argues that if an audience in a theatre can accept the stage as a locality in the city of Rome, they will also accept the change from Rome to Alexandria. He concludes 🡪 the unities of time and place are not essential to a good play .

13. Criticism of Shakespeare One of Johnson's most famous critical works is his edition of Shakespeare's plays, published in 1765. It remains a landmark in Shakespearean scholarship and has influenced generations of critics and scholars. In this work, Johnson defends Shakespeare against charges of inconsistency and lack of taste. He argues that his genius lies in his ability to capture the complexity and contradictions of human nature. Johnson's edition of Shakespeare was groundbreaking in its attention to textual accuracy and historical context.

14. Faults of Shakespeare According to him, Shakespeare tries more to please his audience than to instruct them. It seems that he writes without any moral purpose. His plots are often very loosely formed and carelessly pursued. His comic scenes are seldom very successful 🡪 the jests are generally indecent. He accuses Shakespeare of employing a disproportionate pomp of diction in his tragic plays. He condemns Shakespeare for inappropriate use of idle conceit and his over-fondness for quibbles.

15. Criticism: Life of Milton Milton was considered the most learned Eng. author ‘Paradise Lost’ 🡪 Considered one of the greatest epics of Eng. Literature Still calls it a ‘work of genius’ 🡪 unites pleasure and truth Praises vivid imagery, Dr. Johnson was prejudices against Milton 🡪  Johnson hated Milton’s democratic principles and despised his impracticable philosophy. Rejects his radical 17 th Century ideals Lacks originality and clarity of thought Lack of human actions Critical of some aspects of Milton's style 🡪 use of complex syntax and neologisms . Despite these criticisms, Johnson recognized the power of Milton's poetry. His commentary on 'Paradise Lost' remains an important contribution to Miltonic scholarship.

16. On Milton’s Structure Johnson argued that Milton's structure in "Paradise Lost" lacked coherence and consistency. He found fault with the poem's division into twelve books 🡪 it resulted in uneven pacing and an imbalance of material . According to Johnson, this unevenness affected the overall unity and effectiveness of the work.

17. On Milton’sLanguage Johnson criticized Milton's use of language in "Paradise Lost" for being too complex and convoluted. He believed that Milton's style was unnecessarily ornate and overloaded with excessive rhetorical devices His language made the poem difficult to read and comprehend. Johnson preferred a more straightforward and clear style of writing.

18. On Milton’s Characterization Another point of criticism by Johnson was Milton's portrayal of certain characters, particularly Satan. Johnson found fault with Milton's depiction of Satan as a sympathetic and almost heroic figure. He argued that such a portrayal could mislead and corrupt the reader, as Satan is essentially a malevolent and fallen being.

19. Legacy as a Literary Critic Johnson's impact on literary criticism cannot be overstated. Johnson was a literary critic who was known for his rigorous and compassionate approach. His emphasis on close reading, historical context, and authorial intention helped to establish the field of literary criticism as we know it today. He aimed to shed light on the beauty and complexity of the works he studied. Moreover, Johnson's critical writings are notable for their clarity, wit, and humanity. His legacy as a critic is a testament to how literature can enrich our lives and deepen our understanding of the world. He understood that literature has the power to move and inspire us, and his criticism reflects this deep appreciation for the art of writing.

20. Resources https://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/175454 https://literariness.org/2017/12/05/literary-criticism-of-samuel-johnson/ https://www.englitmail.com/2017/11/dr-johnson-as-critic-preface-to.html https://englishsummary.com/lesson/samuel-johnson-literary-criticism/ https://litaid.com/johnson-as-a-literary-critic/ http://littcritic.blogspot.com/2014/01/drjohnson.html