The literary criticism of Samuel Johnson : forms of artistry and thought / Philip Smallwood.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smallwood, Philip, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Johnson, Samuel, 1709-1784--Criticism and interpretation.

Johnson, Samuel.

Johnson, Samuel, 1709-1784--Knowledge--Literature.

Criticism--England--History--18th century.

Criticism.

English literature--18th century--History and criticism.

English literature.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiv, 219 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2023.

Summary:

For Samuel Johnson, poetical judgments were no mere exercise in dry evaluation; rather, they reflected deep emotional responsiveness. In this provocative study, Philip Smallwood argues for experiencing Johnson's critical texts as artworks in their own right. The criticism, he suggests, often springs from emotional sources of great personal intensity and depth, inspiring translation of criticism into poetry and channelling prose's poetic potential. Through consideration of other critics, Smallwood highlights singularities in Johnson's judgments and approach, showing how such judgments are irreducible to philosophical doctrines. 'Ideas', otherwise the material of criticism's propensity to systems and theories, exist for Johnson as feelings that 'slumber in the heart.' Revealing Johnson's humour and intellectual reach, Smallwood frames his criticism in unresolved ironies of time and forms of historical change.

Contents:

Introduction: the criteria of the heart

Johnson's Compassion

"The tears stand in my eyes" : Johnson and Emotion

Petty Caviller or "Formidable Assailant" : Johnson Reads Dennis

Readers curious and common : Johnson, Thomas Warton and historical form

Shakespeare, Johnson and philosophy

Two ways of being wise : Johnson, philosophy and montaigne

Johnson and time

Truth, fiction and "undisputed history"

Annotated immortality

Arts of structure and they rhythm of the lives.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 08 Sep 2023).

Other Format:

Print version:

ISBN:

9781009369992 (ebook)

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.