The Literary Criticism of Samuel Johnson
Forms of Artistry and Thought

A compelling case for the importance of the heart and emotions over that of critical theory in Johnson's literary criticism.

Philip Smallwood (Author)

9781009369985, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 30 September 2023

217 pages
28 x 19 x 2 cm, 0.556 kg

'An enquiring defence of Johnson as critic, and of literary criticism as a creative living medium, Philip Smallwood's new book is absorbing, richly informed and beautifully exemplified.' Freya Johnston, Professor of English Literature, University of Oxford

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. This title is part of the Flip it Open Programme and may also be available Open Access. Check our website Cambridge Core for details.

Introduction: The criteria of the heart
Part I. Johnson's Criticism and the Forms of Feeling: 1. Johnson's compassion
2. 'The tears stand in my eyes': Johnson and emotion
Part II. Critical Relations and the Art of Literary History: 3. Petty caviller or 'formidable assailant': Johnson reads Dennis
4. Readers curious and common: Johnson, Thomas Warton and historical form
Part III. Johnson, Dramatic Poetry and Thinking: 5. Shakespeare, Johnson and philosophy
6. Two ways of being wise: Johnson, philosophy and Montaigne
Part IV. Time, Truth and History: 7. Johnson and time
8. Truth, fiction and 'undisputed history'
Part V. Editing Lives and Life: 9. Annotated immortality
10. Arts of structure and the rhythm of the lives.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]