Open Access
American Research Journal of English and Literature
ISSN (Online): 2378-9026
DOI: 10.46568/arjel
Samuel Johnson’s “London” as a Satire
Abstract
Samuel Johnson, one of the most eclipsed prolific writers with all his dogmatic prejudice, his stoical courage, his profound
melancholy, his hatred of sentimental palliatives, his fits of narrowness, his tenderness to all human frailty and his
impudent, scholastic intellectuality writes this longest non-dramatic satiric poem ‘London’ in imitation of Juvenal’s 3rd
satire , where the poet’s friend Umbricius leaves for Cumae from Rome to keep himself away from the moral vices and
social ills of the city. Similarly, in ‘London’, the poet’s friend Thales (apparently alter-ego of poet) leaves London, “the
needy villain’s general Home” for Wales (Cambria) to lead a life of seclusion. Disgusted with the growing social, moral
and human degeneration, Thales prays to God to let him find a place--
“Where Honesty and sense are no Disgrace;
Some pleasing Bank where verdant Osiers play,
Some peaceful vale with Nature’s paintings gay”
Malice, materialism, accident, conspiracy, violent protests and arson afflict London and vitiate the atmosphere of the
city. London has become a place where relentless ruffians have a field day; they mug and inflict injuries on unsuspecting
innocent people; unscrupulous lawyers prey upon their clients; house crumbles and a female atheist (Caroline, the wife
of George II) Bombards people with her relentless propaganda. The cursed walls of London are infested with vice and
personal aggrandisement. Where learning and learned have no place; where there is no beacon light of hope, only
frustration; widespread corruption with its masquerades and debauchery has brought down the nation’s morale.
