Literature Network » Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson and the Art of Sinking: 1709-1791.(Book review)

Content courtesy of

From: The Modern Language Review
Date: 20070401
Author:Ingram, Allan

Samuel Johnson and the Art of Sinking 1709-1791. By FREYA JOHNSTON. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2005. xvii+265pp. 40 [pounds sterling]. ISBN 978-0-19-925182-7.

Freya Johnston's subject, though the title might initially lead one to think otherwise, is not literary bathos but rather the near relative to bathos that is best described as littleness and its place, its very proper place, in Johnson's writing. 'It is the privilege of real greatness', wrote Johnson in tribute to George III, 'not to be afraid of diminution by condescending to the notice of little things' (p. ...

Read the rest of this article with a Free Trial at HighBeam Research.

Other Articles on Samuel Johnson

About Our Articles: We've partnered with Highbeam Research to provide these article excerpts for your research needs. However, due to copyright laws, we cannot publish the whole article. To view these articles in full length you'll need to use the link above to access the free trial at Highbeam.