English Language and Literature ETDs
Publication Date
5-30-1968
Abstract
The Victorian dismissal of Samuel Johnson as a narrow, orthodox nee-classical critic is no longer considered valid by Johnsonians. But there is little agreement on what were Johnson's basic principles, and he often is considered inconsistent. Some of his controversial judgments are misunderstood, and his general critical position misrepresented, because distinctions are not made between his carefully weighed judgments written for publication and offhand conversational opinions handed down by Boswell and others. Moreover, Johnson's criticism commonly is represented by popular passages from select pieces of criticism, intermixed without regard for circumstances or time of composition, and sometimes taken from context. Considerable confusion results from failure to understand the meanings which Johnson attached to various terms.
Degree Name
English
Level of Degree
Doctoral
Department Name
English
First Committee Member (Chair)
Donald Johnson Greene
Second Committee Member
Hoyt Trowbridge
Third Committee Member
James Llewellyn Thorson
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Recommended Citation
Johnston, Shirley Ann. "Samuel Johnson'S Critical Principles:A Chronological Study.." (1968). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/engl_etds/469