[Sorry for the late post--I got sick and forgot to post on time! :( ]
Answer TWO of the
following:
Q1: What does
Rasselas mean when he continually invokes the phrase, “my choice of life”? Why
is he unable to make such a choice in the Happy Valley
Q2: In Chapter 10, “A
Dissertation on Poetry,” Imlac philosophizes on the role of a writer/poet in
society. This is important, since Johnson is writing a novel, a form of
literature still suspect and largely geared toward middle-class women and servants
(as we discussed in class). According to Johnson, what makes a “good” writer
and what should he try to communicate to the reader? Why might the novel be the
ideal vehicle to realize Imlac’s intentions?
Q3: Why does Imlac
tell the prince that “Human life is every where a state which is much to be
endured, and little to be enjoyed” (32)? What evidence does he offer for this,
and are we supposed to believe him? If this novel is meant to be instructional,
is Imlac our teacher? Or just another “choice of life?”
Q4: Rasselas is
something of an everyman, in that he represents the composite human being on
his or her journey toward adult understanding. However, he is also colossally
naive and knows nothing about the outside world. If he does represent us,
however, what is our biggest flaw when we attempt to find contentment and
purpose in life? What does he consistently fail to see or understand?
Answer to Q1) When Rasselas uses the phrase “my choice of life,” I think he is saying his life and choices are chosen for him. Because of who he is, he is used to people making choices for him. For instance, he isn’t able to leave the valley and do his own thing. The people in his life tell him what to do, when to do it, and how to do it; he doesn’t make his own choices. He thinks that those outside the valley can do as they please because they aren’t born into the family he was born into. When you are born into a powerful family, the power stays with the head of the family, instead of people being allowed to choose freely what they can and cannot do. I do not think Imlac encourages Rasselas to think of such things because of what happened to him when he ventured out into the world/when he had his own taste of freedom.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to Q4) First of all, not everyone is born into a powerful family. If Rasselas were to represent us for our journey into adulthood, one thing he seems to be lacking is his concept of differentiation. He wants to think that there will be people who understand all walks of life. Everyone is different when it comes to the way our lives are. People come from all areas of life, and it seems like he forgets that. Also, he isn’t content with what he has. I think that is the biggest thing we all struggle with when trying to find “more.” We focus so much on what we want that we fail to see what we have. Sometimes what we are striving for will lead us to disappointment instead of trying to benefit us.
Great responses...I don't think, though, that he wants more or he's even disastified with what he has. In his mind, he has nothing if he can't choose to have it. In the Valley, he never has to try--he's already "won." If you've already won before you try, can you ever really try, succeed, or surprise yourself? But one thing he does misunderstand (as you suggest) is that there is an answer "out there." He does need to look closer to home, and to realize that choice alone doesn't give one happiness. Because you can make a choice that you think will make you happy...but it also might not, and it might even hurt others (which will make you even more unhappier still).
DeleteShhh you get to feeling better. Drink some tea and eat some crackers and rest up. It’s cold and flu season so please be safe and comfy during this season!
ReplyDeleteQ1: What does Rasselas mean when he continually invokes the phrase, “my choice of life”? Why is he unable to make such a choice in the Happy Valley, and why does he believe that those outside the valley can are able to choose freely? Does Imlac encourage this belief?
A: “My choice of life” is Rassela’s way of saying it’s his life and choices and no one else’s. He chooses how to see and do things because of who he is and he is tired of people making choices for him. He can’t leave Happy Valley to go and do his own thing. The saying “you do you boo” doesn’t work for him. All his life, people have always made choices for him and he’s tired of it. He’s tired of everyone telling him what to do and how to do it. He believes that people outside of the valley have the freedom to do what they please when they please it. No one to answer to or anything because they aren’t born into a family in power. Imlac doesn’t encourage Rasselas to believe such things because of what happened to him when he went out of the valley to get a taste of freedom for himself.
Q4: Rasselas is something of an everyman, in that he represents the composite human being on his or her journey toward adult understanding. However, he is also colossally naive and knows nothing about the outside world. If he does represent us, however, what is our biggest flaw when we attempt to find contentment and purpose in life? What does he consistently fail to see or understand?
A: If Rasselas represent our journey to adulthood, then I am #shook because what makes us different from everyone else? He wants to think that people will all understand the walk of life, but that’s not the case. People come from all over and go through different walks compared to his and he seems to forget that. HE’s also not happy with what he has right now. He wants more. That’s the biggest thing we struggle with is feeling lost or lack of purpose with life.
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DeleteLet's talk about your responses after class or when you get a chance...
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ReplyDeleteQ1:
ReplyDeleteI believe that using the phrase "Choice of Life" is him just saying what he wants. He asks himself the differences between him and a beast. Choices are what makes us different from those animals that just follow basic rules of nature. He believes that people outside of the valley have freedom of choice and are happier for it. The grass is greener effect.
Q2:
I think that the line "no kind of knowledge was to be overlooked" really shows the reason the book was written in the first place. Share the knowledge found with everyone. However, as Imlac says, poets must "divest himself of prejudices of his age or country; he must consider right and wrong... disregard present laws... and rise to general and transcendental truths." This is the job of a good poet, and Imlac is perfect to tell the prince, and the audience, this.
(whoops didn't mean to delete that above lol)
-Lauren Tucker
Great responses...yes, in the Happy Valley, your own choice is a choice of pleasures. But that's only a choice to be happy (or not even happy, but sated). He wants the risk to fail (or so he thinks), and the ability to not have choice and pain removed from the equation. But he mistakenly thinks choice alone gives happiness. If so, everyone in the world otuside would be happy!
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