Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

1982

Thesis Director

Frank McCormick

Abstract

Dr. Samuel Johnson, one of the most prolific and profound contributers to the English language, is, unfortunately, better known for his life and his anti-feminist point of view. James Boswell, in his book The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., provides many pieces of Johnson's conversations which attempt to illustrate the doctor's belief that women were unable to understand the complexities of anything beyond their domestic duties, a belief widely supported among the classes throughout the seventeenth century until the middle eighteenth century. However, this paper, using historical and biographical evidence, demonstrates that Johnson's attitude towards women, specifically in his work, The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia, supported the later, more liberal eighteenth century attitude towards women.

Chapter II, "Servant to Companion," focuses on the differences between early eighteenth century attitudes and middle to late eighteenth century attitudes towards women. The women of the first half of the century were considered the submissive sex and were kept weak by an inadequate educational system. Studies in boarding schools during this time concentrated on "curious work," such as embroidery and needlework, arts designed to attract husbands. By the late eighteenth century, however, women were being accepted on more equal terms and were provided with a more complete education, which included history, math, and the classics. Favorable changes for women were also recognized in the areas of domestic and financial responsibilities.

Although it is admitted that Johnson was sometimes a sharp critic of womanhood, he recognized the positive change in attitude and tried to support this change in the treatment of the female characters in Rasselas. This support was due in many ways to his own experiences and his own relationships with women. This interpretation is explained in Chapter III, "Autobiographical Motives for Johnson's Depiction of the Women in Rasselas." By comparing the comments made by Johnson himself and the comments made by the characters, it is demonstrated that the principle female characters come closer to Johnson's viewpoints than Rasselas. Also, as with the women Johnson admired, Nekayah and Pekuah are strong characters, able to make their own way in a predominately male-oriented society.

Finally, Chapter IV, "Johnson's Treatment of the Rasselas Women," and Chapter V, "The Conclusion, in Which Much is Concluded," illustrate that the doctor's view of the women in Rasselas is not that of an anti-feminist, but that of a man who advocated the changed opinions towards women.

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