Items related to The Religious Life of Samuel Johnson
Synopsis
Samuel Johnson was a deeply religious man and he came to depend on his Christian faith as the principal means by which to endure the pain of existence. He sought throughout his life to render himself worthy of salvation, but the difficulties which he experienced in trying to maintain a high degree of religious discipline - as well as his doubts about God's ultimate concern for man and his fears of his own spiritual unworthiness - led him into periods of madness and a perpetual dread of damnation.
Charles Pierce examines the effect of Johnson's religous concerns upon the formation of his complex character, and on the great moral writing that began with The Vanity of Human Wishes and ended with Rasselas. He explores the paradox of a life which was dedicated to the Christian ideal and tormented by that same ideal. Previous works on Johnson's religious beliefs have been concerned with ascertaining what those beliefs were, and not with their effect. The main theme of this study is the importance of Johnson's beliefs in the formation of his character and their effect on the moral values expressed in his greatest writing and on the conduct of his life. It will be essential to anyone interested in the life and thought of one of the greatest English literary figures.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Charles E. Pierce Jr. was the Director of The Morgan Library and Museum, N.Y. He previously served as chairman of the English Department at Vassar College, N.Y. He specialises in British literature of the Renaissance and eighteenth century, with a special interest in Samuel Johnson.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherArchon Books
- Publication date1983
- ISBN 10 0208019928
- ISBN 13 9780208019929
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages184
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
The Religious Life of Samuel Johnson
Published by
Shoe String Press, Incorporated, 1982
ISBN 10: 0208019928
ISBN 13: 9780208019929
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Open Market Ed. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 5408114-6
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Religious Life of Samuel Johnson
Published by
Archon, Hamden, Connecticut, 1983
ISBN 10: 0208019928
ISBN 13: 9780208019929
Used
Hardcover
Signed
Seller: San Francisco Book Company, Paris, France
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very good. Dust Jacket Condition: very good. blue cloth, gilt lettering, dust jacket, 184 pp, front end paper inscribed by author Standard shipping (no tracking) / Priority (with tracking) / Custom quote for large or heavy orders. Cloth/dust jacket and Mylar wrapped Octavo. Seller Inventory # 73670
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Religious Life of Samuel Johnson
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Fine. Like New condition. Great condition, but not exactly fully crisp. The book may have been opened and read, but there are no defects to the book, jacket or pages. 0.8. Seller Inventory # 353-0208019928-lkn
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Religious Life of Samuel Johnson
Seller: Books Unplugged, Amherst, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Buy with confidence! Book is in good condition with minor wear to the pages, binding, and minor marks within 0.8. Seller Inventory # bk0208019928xvz189zvxgdd
Quantity: 1 available