Rasselas Themes: Reason, Fancy, and the Pursuit of Contentment

Thematic Analysis of Samuel Johnson's Rasselas

Chapter 1: Fancy, Reason, and the Narrator's Warning

This fragment corresponds to the chapter 1 of Rasselas. The narrator begins with an advisory note to the readers. This warning helps readers who are about to read the story of the Prince of Abyssinia to distinguish between veridic facts and imaginative speculation within the novel.

The use of words such as “fancy” and “phantoms of hope” indicates a life lived without the guidance of reason. When imagination is prioritized above all, reality is not questioned. The text emphasizes that there must be a crucial balance between reason and fantasy.

Comparison: Fancy in Rasselas and Dickens' Hard Times

The concept of Fancy relates thematically to Dickens' Hard Times. Both texts explore the expectation of happiness arriving without effort or search. Key concepts explored include Hope and Youth.

Chapter 22: The Search for Happiness and Human Nature

The fragment read is from the chapter 22 of Rasselas, which discusses human nature and the constant search for happiness. Philosophically, human beings are constantly seeking happiness through nature, often trying to live according to philosophical ideals.

The chapter itself discusses the relationship between instincts and animals, and reason and men. The argument suggests that we need to suspend rationality to find happiness, as reason keeps happiness away, while true contentment resides in Nature. The core idea is to live in the present without worrying about the future.

Philosophical Implications of Chapter 22

The analysis suggests:

• Rejecting Rationality: We must stop being rational. We are animals just like others; we only sometimes reason.
• Nature and Happiness: Reasoning distances us from the happiness that nature provides.
• The Hermit's Experience: The hermit has poor memories of this pursuit because curiosity prevents him from being happy.
• Living in the Present: One can learn from a life without worries, focusing on the present without dwelling on the future.

Swift vs. Rasselas: Imagination Versus Reality

A key thematic contrast exists between the works of Swift and Rasselas, often pitting Imagination versus Reality.

Chapter 29: Superficial Love and Blaming Nature

This fragment belongs to the chapter 29 of Rasselas, focusing on superficial and aesthetic love. This type of love blinds the individual, and when the flaws are discovered, the characters often blame Nature.

Rasselas observes that once habits are consolidated, they are difficult to change. The text presents a dichotomy, suggesting a choice between different forms of contentment: "Either you enjoy the autumn or you enjoy nature."

The discussion concludes by noting that the laws of nature are often invoked to justify actions.