The literary criticism of Samuel Johnson: forms of artistry and thought

Preface

Introduction: The criteria of the heart

Part I, Johnson's criticism and the forms of feeling: Johnson's compassion ; "The tears stand in my eyes" : Johnson and emotion

Part II, Critical relations and the art of literary history: Petty Caviller or "formidable assailant" : Johnson reads Dennis ; Readers curious and common : Johnson, Thomas Warton and historical form

Part III, Johnson, dramatic poetry and thinking: Shakespeare, Johnson and philosophy ; Two ways of being wise : Johnson, philosophy and Montaigne

Part IV, Time, truth and history: Johnson and time ; Truth, fiction and "undisputed history"

Part V, Editing "Lives," and life: Annotated immortality ; Arts of structure and the rhythm of the "Lives"

Appendix: Irony in revolt : F.R. Leavis reads Johnson.