A version of this question was written on the board as one of the "goals" for discussion, but we never quite got there, so I'll raise the issue again here:
"Reason" is a term we tend to associate with the Enlightenment; it's also a term that comes up a lot in class discussion.
The word "reason" appears a few times in Samuel Johnson's The Vanity of Human Wishes. Just how useful is it as an organizing concept for explaining this poem? Is a concern with "reason" central to this poem, or is it a side issue?
Cite some evidence to support your claims.
Deadline: Friday (9/25), start of class.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
6 comments:
I think that Samuel Johnson shuts down the idea of human reason's ability to help his condition, stating that man is too corrupt to even be able to even use it as a viable way out of his vanities.
"Inquirer cease, petitions yet remain, Which Heav'n may hear, nor deem religion vain"(349-350).
I think that Johnson says man really has no other hope but to turn to some sort of Creator to figure things out for him. Johnson states that man is too vulnerable to the vanities of his heart to even be able to hold on to his own ability to reason at all.
I believe that, in this work, "reason" is not a central theme; Johnson seems more concerned with the corruption of the human spirit than anything else. Perhaps, however, it could be said that "reason" is indirectly related to the themes found throughout this work-- one could see his comments on the human condition as a warning to exercise reason (as Johnson sees it) when dealing with others. The problem with "reason" in general is that it is a highly abstract concept whose definition can be altered depending on a particular person's worldview. I think that, in Johnson's case, this worldview (and thus what he would deem reasonable) is the belief in, and understanding of, a transcendent being (God).
I believe that reason, or rather lack of reason is a major theme throughout this piece. Johnson is saying that we as humans are slaves to our desires, reason doesn't play a real factor in our lives. "How rarely reason guides the stubborn choice, Rules the bold hand, or prompts the suppliant voice" (lines 11-12). Reason never wins over wants, that is what Johnson is saying in this poem.
I also agree with Whitney and Katie’s posts. I believe that the idea of “Reason” goes back to the opening lines of the poem when Johnson states, “O’erspread with snares the clouded maze of fate, / Where wav’ring man, betrayed by vent’rous pride, / To tread the dreary paths without a guide” (lines 6-8). I take the use of the word “guide” in this section to mean “Reason.” Man, throughout history has been enthralled with chasing his desires. Rather than thinking things through, man has a tendency to act first and think later, or not even think at all. In other words, we stray away from our guide, or “Reason,” resulting in our foolish ways and ultimate downfalls. In the three times that “Reason” is mentioned throughout this poem, it is coupled with the words “guide” or “frown””
“How rarely Reason guides the stubborn Choice,
Rules the bold Hand, or prompts the suppliant Voice” (lines 11-12)
“Should Reason guide thee with her brightest Ray,
And pour on misty Doubts resistless Day” (lines 145-146)
“Yet Reason frowns on War's unequal Game,
Where wasted Nations raise a single Name” (lines 185-186)
In the examples provided, “Reason” has been there waiting to guide or warn the actions of man, but it is clear that their ignorance and desire has triumphed. Due to this ignorance, Johnson is left to believe that there is only one “guide” left to aid man—that of a Celestial being—and therefore proves that the idea of “Reason” plays an important role in this work.
I agree with Katie's post. Johnson highlights situations in which our wishes seem to overtake our reason. Johnson For instance, with the scholar trying to be known, make a name for himself. If he used reason maybe he would be more aware to the challenges and twists of fate that may interfere with his goal.
However how much reason can be associated with desires, wishes, goals? Isn't part of having the scholar's wish, for instance, knowing that there may not be reason behind it?
I think this is a question that the audience has to consider as there is a struggle between reason and wish.
I agree with Katie's post. Johnson highlights situations in which our wishes seem to overtake our reason. Johnson For instance, with the scholar trying to be known, make a name for himself. If he used reason maybe he would be more aware to the challenges and twists of fate that may interfere with his goal.
However how much reason can be associated with desires, wishes, goals? Isn't part of having the scholar's wish, for instance, knowing that there may not be reason behind it?
I think this is a question that the audience has to consider as there is a struggle between reason and wish.
Post a Comment