'What then is to be done? said Rasselas; the more we inquire, the less we can resolve.' Rasselas and his companions escape the pleasures of the 'happy valley' in order to make their 'choice of life'. By witnessing the miseries and misfortunes of others they may come to understand the nature of happiness, and value it more highly. Their travels and enquiries raise important practical and philosophical questions concerning many aspects of the human condition, including the business of a poet, the stability of reason, the immortality of the soul, and how to find happiness. Johnson's adaptation of the popular oriental tale displays his usual wit and perceptiveness; sceptical and probing, his tale nevertheless suggests that wisdom and self-knowledge may be attainable. This new edition relates the novel to Johnson's life and thought and to politics, society, and the global context of the Seven Years War.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Oxford University Press
ISBN-13
9780199229970
eBay Product ID (ePID)
95003061
Product Key Features
Book Title
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia
Author
Samuel Johnson
Format
Paperback
Language
English
Topic
Books
Publication Year
2009
Number of Pages
208 Pages
Dimensions
Item Height
196mm
Item Width
129mm
Item Weight
159g
Additional Product Features
Title_Author
Samuel Johnson
Series Title
Oxford World's Classics
Editor
Thomas Keymer
Country/Region of Manufacture
United Kingdom
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