In the following excerpt, Raleigh considers whether Rasselas belongs to the novel genre.
The contributions of Johnson and Goldsmith to prose fiction are examples of pure eighteenth-century work. It...
Read more
In the following essay, Braverman examines the significance of architectural structures as well as interior and spiritual spaces in Rasselas.
More than twenty years ago, Paul Fussell noted the prev...
Read more
In the following essay, Smith examines the use and function of repetitive narrative structures in Rasselas.
Ye who would listen with credulity to the whispers of fancy, and pursue with eagemess th...
Read more
In the following essay, Kolb discusses the relationship of structure to meaning in Rasselas. Kolb argues that Johnson's story is structurally distinct from the generic eighteenth-century orient...
Read more
In the following essay, Bate, a leading scholar of the eighteenth century, explores Johnson's view of the mind as a aspect of the human organism that should be constantly stimulated and diverte...
Read more
In the following essay, Sherburn argues that, contrary to the assumption of earlier critics, Rasselas and his party do not end their journey with an optimistic return to the Happy Valley. Instead, acc...
Read more
In the following essay, Jones argues that a three-part structure, rather than the usual division of Rasselas into two unequal parts, reflects more accurately Johnson's original intent for this ...
Read more
In the following essay, Weitzman identifies sources Johnson probably used for the Egyptian settings in Rasselas, arguing that the sources reflect Johnson's intent in incorporating Cairo, the py...
Read more
In the following essay, Woodruff considers Rasselas within the context of classical satiric traditions, suggesting that such a view makes clearer Johnson's efforts to create a Christian philoso...
Read more
In the following essay, Hansen argues that Johnson portrays friendship as the way to happiness in Rasselas. Hansen also suggets that Johnson's depiction of friendship suggests his view that wom...
Read more
In the following essay, Parke proposes that in Rasselas, Johnson elaborated on the thesis that history—as a reflection on the past and an awareness of the continuity of time—is both the ...
Read more
Critical Essay by Sir Walter Raleigh
