Samuel Johnson : a promoter of social improvement
This thesis explores what remains an under-studied aspect of Samuel Johnsonâs profile as a person and writer â his attitude to social improvement. Confronting past and current critical opinion and adhering closely to Johnsonâs various writings, the thesis aims to establish the reasons for the failure to identify Johnsonâs relationship to social concerns during his lifetime. The study also considers the influence of particular moral philosophies on Johnsonâs approach to social improvement, such as those of Hugo Grotius, Richard Cumberland, Francis Bacon and John Locke. A range of sources include Johnsonâs essays in the Rambler, Idler and Adventurer, his various reviews in the Literary Magazine and the Gentlemanâs Magazine, his Diary of his travels in the Midlands and the Tour of the Highlands with Boswell, as well as various texts he wrote for others who were also concerned with social improvement. When Johnson protests against the institutions of his day he seeks to alleviate a tangible evil, such as the wretchedness of prostitutes, the agonies of imprisoned debtors and the destitution suffered by their families and the terrors of those condemned to death, often for some trivial offence. The
Ritchie, Stefka
HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform ; PN0441 Literary History ; PR English literature
Samuel Johnson : a promoter of social improvement. This thesis explores what remains an under-studied aspect of Samuel Johnsonâs profile as a person and writer â his attitude to social improvement. Confronting past and current critical opinion and adhering closely to Johnsonâs various writings, the thesis aims to establish the reasons for the failure to identify Johnsonâs relationship to social concerns during his lifetime. The study also considers the influence of particular moral philosophies on Johnsonâs approach to social improvement, such as those of Hugo Grotius, Richard Cumberland, Francis Bacon and John Locke. A range of sources include Johnsonâs essays in the Rambler, Idler and Adventurer, his various reviews in the Literary Magazine and the Gentlemanâs Magazine, his Diary of his travels in the Midlands and the Tour of the Highlands with Boswell, as well as various texts he wrote for others who were also concerned with social improvement. When Johnson protests against the institutions of his day he seeks to alleviate a tangible evil, such as the wretchedness of prostitutes, the agonies of imprisoned debtors and the destitution suffered by their families and the terrors of those condemned to death, often for some trivial offence. The
johnson promoter social improvement explores remain_under studied aspect johnson profile person writer attitude social improvement confronting past_current critical opinion adhere closely johnson various writing aim_establish reason failure identify johnson relationship social concern lifetime study also_consider influence particular moral_philosophy johnson social improvement hugo_grotius john_locke range_source include johnson essay various review literary magazine gentleman magazine diary travel midlands tour highlands well various text write others also concern social improvement johnson protest institution day seek tangible evil prostitute debtor suffer family terror condemn death often trivial offence