The language of humanism: modes of argument and self-authentication in the literary criticisms of Johnson and Arnold
Sansom, Edward Stephenson
Sansom, Edward Stephenson
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Date
1973
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Abstract
Both Samuel Johnson and Matthew Arnold present their critical essays in such a manner as to persuade their readers to accept the speakers' own characters and to sense the worth and validity of their particular arguments as well. The present study attempts to show how each of the two critics attempts to persuade by depending upon the ethical argument, which is a way of being or presenting oneself. The ethical argument is a presentation of oneself fully, an investment of oneself fully, in one's language, a deliverance of one's words fully guaranteed by one's self. For the speaker's own words are accompanied by his universe, and what makes an ethical argument is whatever makes a speaker's universe livable for other men. By attempting to make their universe livable for others, Johnson and Arnold, at the same time, establish themselves within the humanist tradition. The language of humanism for both critics is the combination of a distinct framework of the speakers' own characters and modes of argument as they are presented. A consideration of selected essays by each literary critic, looking especially at the ethical argument in each discussion, will demonstrate how both men construct their humanistic theories of literary criticism. By examining each writer's modes of ethical argument, his methods of viewing literature, and the substance of his literary criticism, a comparison of both arguers' roles in humanistic criticism can be formulated. Chapters I and II explore modes of ethical argument in both men's critical essays, while Chapter III is a comparison of both writers' methods and theories of criticism. These three chapters unite in Chapter IV to show that the several modes of ethical argument are a form of humanistic argument, and neither argument can function without the other.
Contents
Subject
Subject(s)
Johnson, Samuel, 1709-1784
Arnold, Matthew, 1822-1888
Humanism
Arnold, Matthew, 1822-1888
Humanism
Research Projects
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Genre
Dissertation
Description
Format
iii, 140 leaves
Department
English