Samuel JohnsonHarvard University Press, 1998 - 372 pages He was a servant to the public, a writer for hire. He was a hero, an author adding to the glory of his nation. But can a writer be both hack and hero? The career of Samuel Johnson, recounted here by Lawrence Lipking, proves that the two can be one. And it further proves, in its enduring interest for readers, that academic fashions today may be a bit hasty in pronouncing the "death of the author." |
From inside the book
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... Chesterfield was the politest man he ever knew , but " indeed he did not think it worth his while to treat me like a Gentleman . " 28 The let- ter responds by flaunting not only Johnson's politeness but also Chesterfield's discourtesy ...
... Chesterfield's name . The Plan is dedicated to him ; as was the custom , he gave Johnson ten pounds for the dedication . But Chesterfield dominates the body of the text as well . Its first words are Addressed to the Right Honourable ...
... Chesterfield's remote- ness , Johnson uses the same words differently to begin another se- quence , this time referring to Chesterfield's inability to imagine another person's troubles . True love would have been at home on the rocks ...
Contents
the Western Islands of Scotland | 234 |
The Lives of the English Poets | 259 |
Johnsons Endings | 295 |
Copyright | |
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