Description
Fiction. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: In this thought-provoking parable from esteemed essayist and lexicographer Samuel Johnson, a young prince has been banished to a small, secluded valley until it is his time to ascend to the throne. Will Rasselas be able to find happiness in his exile, or will he choose another course?.
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Oxford University Press (2009), Edition: Reprint, 208 pages
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LibraryThing member break
Johnson: The History of Rasselas (1759)
I wish I would be a scholar of philosophy. Then I would know the history of how developed over time. Without this knowledge I have to admit that Samuel Johnson's "The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia" felt shallow and boring. I am sure that there are
The first book that comes to mind though is Voltaire's Candide was published the same year. But Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha is 20th century and that was also a novel, where a hero travels a long way. There he is mostly aloe o the journey that is of spiritual nature, while here the price travels with his teacher, Imlac, his sister Nekayah, and her "favourite," Pekuah. Pekuah is an interesting choice for a name. In Hebrew "Pekuah nefesh" refers to the concept of saving life of another, which is a mitzvah, commandment. The original title of this book was "The choice of life" so I am sure that the names are not randomly selected.
I was planning to summarize the lessons the travelers learn in their search for comparative happiness of people around the world, but then gave up on it. It's best if you read it for yourself, it's not that long. This way there is a better chance that you can learn the same lessons by a single proxy (reading about it, instead of experiencing them) instead of a double proxy (me summarizing what I read.) I have to warn you though the end was so abrupt that I couldn't' believe it was suddenly over.
The story is simple enough: a prince lives in happy valley that he cannot leave, but everything is provided for him there. In conversation with a well-traveled scholar he decided to venture out and discover which people are the happiest and why. On the road he learns by elimination all the reasons: why people are not happy, what are the obstacles. That's about it without telling any major plot development, of which aren't many. The treasures are hidden in the discussions he is having with his companions. I wish you happy learning too and discovering what makes you (as opposed to everyone else) happy.
I wish I would be a scholar of philosophy. Then I would know the history of how developed over time. Without this knowledge I have to admit that Samuel Johnson's "The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia" felt shallow and boring. I am sure that there are
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plenty of ideas that Johnson introduced or at least made significant contribution to in this book, but I couldn't identify them. Being an ignoramus the conversations that made up a lot of the book felt repetitive of ideas I read elsewhere, probably in much later written books.The first book that comes to mind though is Voltaire's Candide was published the same year. But Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha is 20th century and that was also a novel, where a hero travels a long way. There he is mostly aloe o the journey that is of spiritual nature, while here the price travels with his teacher, Imlac, his sister Nekayah, and her "favourite," Pekuah. Pekuah is an interesting choice for a name. In Hebrew "Pekuah nefesh" refers to the concept of saving life of another, which is a mitzvah, commandment. The original title of this book was "The choice of life" so I am sure that the names are not randomly selected.
I was planning to summarize the lessons the travelers learn in their search for comparative happiness of people around the world, but then gave up on it. It's best if you read it for yourself, it's not that long. This way there is a better chance that you can learn the same lessons by a single proxy (reading about it, instead of experiencing them) instead of a double proxy (me summarizing what I read.) I have to warn you though the end was so abrupt that I couldn't' believe it was suddenly over.
The story is simple enough: a prince lives in happy valley that he cannot leave, but everything is provided for him there. In conversation with a well-traveled scholar he decided to venture out and discover which people are the happiest and why. On the road he learns by elimination all the reasons: why people are not happy, what are the obstacles. That's about it without telling any major plot development, of which aren't many. The treasures are hidden in the discussions he is having with his companions. I wish you happy learning too and discovering what makes you (as opposed to everyone else) happy.
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LibraryThing member mrtall
Rasselas is a brief but comprehensive introduction to some of the recurring questions of political and practical philosophy. What is the best way to live out a human life? Where is real fulfillment to be found? Of what does happiness consist?
Samuel Johnson embodies these questions in the tale of
The great Dr Johnson's style here is elegant; his questions searching; his wisdom never simplistic, but always simple.
This is a perfect introduction to much broader reading in philosophy.
Samuel Johnson embodies these questions in the tale of
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Rasselas, an Ethiopian prince who has been cloistered from the cares of the world in a remote mountain fastness. But Rasselas is not satisfied with his days of leisure and amusement, so he seeks to venture forth . . . .The great Dr Johnson's style here is elegant; his questions searching; his wisdom never simplistic, but always simple.
This is a perfect introduction to much broader reading in philosophy.
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LibraryThing member AlexTheHunn
Rasselas is Samuel Johnson's vision of the world as a place where things do not always work out well. Johnson shows life at best as something to be endured. The situations encountered by Johnson's hero seems almost the opposite of those encountered by Voltaire's Candide. Time after time, things
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seem to be promising, even ideal. However, inevitably reality sets in and tiny, then major, chinks in the facade appear. All is not perfect. Perfection is shown as ultimately unattainable yet still desirable, leading to guaranteed dissatisfaction. All written in fine style by a superb master of the language. Show Less
LibraryThing member ben_a
My friend Ben H told me this was the best book he read last year, and that was recommendation enouh for me. It is aphoristic, for certain, but I did not find it compelling. (75% done. 1.16.08)
"With observations like these the Prince amused himself as he returned, uttering them with a plaintive
"With observations like these the Prince amused himself as he returned, uttering them with a plaintive
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voice, yet with a look that discovered him to feel some complacence in his own perspicacity, and to receive some solace of the miseries of life from consciousness of the delicacy with which he felt and the eloquence with which he bewailed them." Show Less
LibraryThing member marcelrochester
It was nice enough I suppose. - the writing and the idea But it's kind of pointless. Which is kind of the point.
LibraryThing member soylentgreen23
Samuel Johnson's fine book rather reminded me of Voltaire's 'Candide', except there isn't quite as much travelling, and the variety of philosophical ideas expounded upon is much greater. The book was remarkably readable for one quite so old, and as an English Teacher I found it fascinating to see
Johnson is also eminently quotable. This piece really stuck in my mind: "All skill ought to be exerted for universal good; every man has owed much to others, and ought to repay the kindness he has received." For me, this is the perfect way of looking at the Internet as a whole, and explains the logic behind all those wonderful writers scribbling away and posting their thoughts online for the world to see.
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how usage has changed in the intervening period; we use commas differently, and we no longer write musick or rustick.Johnson is also eminently quotable. This piece really stuck in my mind: "All skill ought to be exerted for universal good; every man has owed much to others, and ought to repay the kindness he has received." For me, this is the perfect way of looking at the Internet as a whole, and explains the logic behind all those wonderful writers scribbling away and posting their thoughts online for the world to see.
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LibraryThing member Fledgist
Based on Bruce's expedition to Ethiopia, Johnson's didactic novel describes the education of Rasselas (Prince Selassie -- what did the anti-racist Johnson, who had a Jamaican manservant know, I wonder?) on his amba (secluded hilltop) in Ethiopia. This is an eighteenth-century novel of education, a
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bildungsroman, but with an African setting. Show Less
LibraryThing member jmoncton
I read this book so I could check it off my '1001 books' list. Did I find it enlightening or life changing? Well... no. Samuel Johnson is probably best known for his English Dictionary as well as being the creator of many famous and wise sayings. Rasselas is filled with many pithy sayings, that are
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loosely tied together in a story about Rasselas, the Prince of Abissinia, who leaves his comfortable life as a member of the ruling family in search of wisdom and meaning. I found it hard to focus on the plot because of the many rambling discourses about a wide variety of topics, ranging from relationships between men and women to flying machines. Show Less
LibraryThing member V.V.Harding
"That greatest of philosophical tales," as Warren Fleischauer calls The History of Rasselas Prince of Abyssinia in his introduction to the edition I read -- one of 112 listed at this site! -- will disappoint anyone prepared for something else, a novel, a story, an adventure. The adventure here is
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all in ideas, expressed by fairy-tale characters such as Prince, Princess, her Favorite (companion), and Poet, and the ideas are about How To Live, How to Be Happy. As old as these issues are, and as much discussed, somehow their embodiment in this charming tale makes them all fresh, and the inconclusive ending is a surprising touch that lends a note of modernity in its awareness of its own artificiality. Hillaire Belloc advocated reading it annually, and while I may not do quite that, I will revisit it, perhaps in a different, more attractive edition: the Barron's was simply at hand, and the next time around, notes would be nice. But for the first read-through, just following the ideas and enjoying the incomparable writing was good. Show Less
LibraryThing member mrsdanaalbasha
Rasselas and his companions escape the pleasures of the "happy valley" in order to make their "choice of life." By witnessing the misfortunes and miseries of others they come to understand the nature of happiness, and value it more highly. Their travels and enquiries raise important practical and
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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 contentment. Show Less
LibraryThing member P_S_Patrick
Though presented as "The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia", this is not a factual history but a tale of adventure and self discovery, centered around the eponymous prince, his sister, her maid, and their wise companion Imlac. It begins with his growing up in the "Happy Valley", which is
Along the way, they meet people from various walks of life, including sages, hermits, ordinary families, mercenaries, monks, and an astronomer. They discuss the various ways of living that they come accross, with the main recurring theme throughout the book being what is the best "choice of life". They discuss their various viewpoints, with arguments for and against each mode of existence. Each time they think they have found the ideal state of being, they come to realise that the situation is more complex than first thought, and thus the search for happiness continues. As such this is quite a philosophical tale and has many moments of deep reflection. There are some good quotable sections in here too, but what lets it down somewhat is that the setting is not further elaborated - ie there is little of the exotic flavour that one might expect from a story mostly set in and around Cairo. Because the quest for a happy, fulfilling, and moral life is of at least some concern to most people, this story is still of wide appeal.
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isolated from the rest of the world by mountains and a large gate, and arranged by the king to provide every entertainment and pleasure he could wish for his children and their large entourage. However as Rasselas grows up he becomes disenchanted with the shallow existence, and wants to see the outside world and experience unhappiness and worldly strife first hand. So begins his adventure to find more meaning to life.Along the way, they meet people from various walks of life, including sages, hermits, ordinary families, mercenaries, monks, and an astronomer. They discuss the various ways of living that they come accross, with the main recurring theme throughout the book being what is the best "choice of life". They discuss their various viewpoints, with arguments for and against each mode of existence. Each time they think they have found the ideal state of being, they come to realise that the situation is more complex than first thought, and thus the search for happiness continues. As such this is quite a philosophical tale and has many moments of deep reflection. There are some good quotable sections in here too, but what lets it down somewhat is that the setting is not further elaborated - ie there is little of the exotic flavour that one might expect from a story mostly set in and around Cairo. Because the quest for a happy, fulfilling, and moral life is of at least some concern to most people, this story is still of wide appeal.
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LibraryThing member Lukerik
I find it hard to believe that a book this good could be written in a week, but the evidence is before me and I have read it. A strange mix of fairy tale, light philosophy and speculum regis. Smooth, unobtrusive writing. He has a way of turning a thought into a phrase that really speaks to you.
I read the OUP edition. The notes are geared towards the international market with many definitions of words. If English is your first language you won't need them.
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Don't come to this looking for plot and characterisation.I read the OUP edition. The notes are geared towards the international market with many definitions of words. If English is your first language you won't need them.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
I found many interesting ideas in this classic but overall felt it was an uneasy mixture of philosophy and satire. Rasselas is bored in the Happy Valley in which all the offspring of Abyssinian royalty were confined (along with their servants & others required for their comfort and amusement)
For a while, he is happy while contemplating how he will escape the valley as that gives him an interest in life & he eventually meets a poet, Imlac, who had lived outside the boundaries of the valley & in fact had travelled widely before settling there. In telling Rasselas his story, they discuss what makes for happiness. Imlac declares that "Human life is everywhere a state in which much is to be endured and little to be enjoyed." but the Prince is unwilling to accept this verdict. He invites Imlac to help him escape the valley & become his companion and guide. At the last minute, they are joined by Rasselas's favorite sister Princess Nekayah & her favorite attendant Pekuah.
With Imlac's assistance, Rasselas & Nekayah gradually adjust to life outside the Happy Valley and begin to investigate what kind of life is best. They meet many different types of people -- city society (in Cairo), a wise guru, a hermit, an astronomer, an Arab bandit, etc. They debate the nature of marriage & whether married life is required for true happiness. Somewhat surprisingly to me, Nekayah is the one who thinks marriage does not contribute to happiness but rather causes unhappiness, which she backs up with examples of married couples she has come to know.
During all this, Rasselas is trying to find the correct "choice of life" for himself. Johnson keeps returning to the question of whether solitude or society is better. As the hermit remarks: "In solitude, if I escape the example of bad men, I want likewise the counsel and conversation of the good."
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because, as he says himself, " 'That I want nothing,' said the Prince, 'or that I know not what I want, is the cause of my complaint: if I had any known want, I should have a certain wish; that wish would excite endeavour, and I should not then repine to see the sun move so slowly towards the western mountains, or to lament when the day breaks, and sleep will no longer hide me from myself.' " One of his advisors chides him saying that he didn't know what miseries the outer world contained & the Prince decides that "I shall long to see the miseries of the world, since the sight of them is necessary to happiness." For a while, he is happy while contemplating how he will escape the valley as that gives him an interest in life & he eventually meets a poet, Imlac, who had lived outside the boundaries of the valley & in fact had travelled widely before settling there. In telling Rasselas his story, they discuss what makes for happiness. Imlac declares that "Human life is everywhere a state in which much is to be endured and little to be enjoyed." but the Prince is unwilling to accept this verdict. He invites Imlac to help him escape the valley & become his companion and guide. At the last minute, they are joined by Rasselas's favorite sister Princess Nekayah & her favorite attendant Pekuah.
With Imlac's assistance, Rasselas & Nekayah gradually adjust to life outside the Happy Valley and begin to investigate what kind of life is best. They meet many different types of people -- city society (in Cairo), a wise guru, a hermit, an astronomer, an Arab bandit, etc. They debate the nature of marriage & whether married life is required for true happiness. Somewhat surprisingly to me, Nekayah is the one who thinks marriage does not contribute to happiness but rather causes unhappiness, which she backs up with examples of married couples she has come to know.
During all this, Rasselas is trying to find the correct "choice of life" for himself. Johnson keeps returning to the question of whether solitude or society is better. As the hermit remarks: "In solitude, if I escape the example of bad men, I want likewise the counsel and conversation of the good."
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LibraryThing member MaowangVater
Johnson’s Bildungsroman is the tale of a bored young Ethiopian prince imprisoned in a “happy valley,” an artificial Eden reserved for progeny of the emperor and their servants and companions.
"The valley, wide and fruitful, supplied its inhabitants with the necessities of life, and all
Yet Prince Rasselas is bored. He longs for a purpose in life. When told that he is being spared the miseries of the outside world, he yearns to experience them. When he meets Imlac, a poet and world traveler, he begs him to help him escape and be his guide to the outside world so that he can see how others live and
decide on a choice of life. Reluctantly Imlac agrees, and with Rasselas’s sister Nekayah and a small group of attendants they discover a path over the surrounding mountains and out into the world.
They travel north following the course of the Nile to the great metropolis of Cairo. There they meet the active young and the disillusioned old. Rasselas meets a successful man whose happiness is ruined by the death of his daughter, encounters hermits, monks, scholars, and a delusional astronomer. He and his sister try the pastoral life, debate the pros and cons of domesticity and marriage, visit the rich and the great, and explore the pyramids.
During their time inside a pyramid, a band of marauding Arabs kidnap Nekayah’s lady-in-waiting, and favorite Pekuah, and hold her for ransom. When the ransom is paid Pekuah reveals that she had been well treated and reports on life in the castle of the rogue with genteel manners. She finds life among the womenfolk to be lacking in good conversation.
But Rasselas and Nekayah are unable to discover any of these outsiders that have found true happiness, or a way of life that they want to adopt as their own. So having experienced all the outside world has to offer, they decide to return home.
With the precision of language characteristic of the lexicographer, Johnson returns—this time in prose—to the theme of his earlier poem “The Vanity of Human Wishes” to make the point that happiness is not to be found in earthly existence.
"The valley, wide and fruitful, supplied its inhabitants with the necessities of life, and all
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delights and superfluities were added at the annual visit which the emperor paid his children, when the iron gate was opened to the sound of music; and, during eight days, everyone that desired resided in the valley was required to propose whatever might contribute to make seclusion pleasant, to fill up the vacancies of attentions and lessen the tediousness of time. Every desire was immediately granted." (page 8)Yet Prince Rasselas is bored. He longs for a purpose in life. When told that he is being spared the miseries of the outside world, he yearns to experience them. When he meets Imlac, a poet and world traveler, he begs him to help him escape and be his guide to the outside world so that he can see how others live and
decide on a choice of life. Reluctantly Imlac agrees, and with Rasselas’s sister Nekayah and a small group of attendants they discover a path over the surrounding mountains and out into the world.
They travel north following the course of the Nile to the great metropolis of Cairo. There they meet the active young and the disillusioned old. Rasselas meets a successful man whose happiness is ruined by the death of his daughter, encounters hermits, monks, scholars, and a delusional astronomer. He and his sister try the pastoral life, debate the pros and cons of domesticity and marriage, visit the rich and the great, and explore the pyramids.
During their time inside a pyramid, a band of marauding Arabs kidnap Nekayah’s lady-in-waiting, and favorite Pekuah, and hold her for ransom. When the ransom is paid Pekuah reveals that she had been well treated and reports on life in the castle of the rogue with genteel manners. She finds life among the womenfolk to be lacking in good conversation.
But Rasselas and Nekayah are unable to discover any of these outsiders that have found true happiness, or a way of life that they want to adopt as their own. So having experienced all the outside world has to offer, they decide to return home.
With the precision of language characteristic of the lexicographer, Johnson returns—this time in prose—to the theme of his earlier poem “The Vanity of Human Wishes” to make the point that happiness is not to be found in earthly existence.
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LibraryThing member john257hopper
This novella is ostensibly a tale about an Ethiopian prince, Rasselas, who, chafing under the boredom of the life of luxury he leads in the Happy Valley, contrives to escape with two companions, his sister Nekayeh, and a man named Imlac. In fact this is a vehicle for Johnson's exploring various
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philosophical ideas, in particular around the sources of and how to seek happiness in life, including who in society has or might achieve happiness and how, whether through living a good life or not, and what that means. There are some interesting pithy aphorisms arising from their conversations with each other and with other characters, including with a philosopher-astronomer who believes he has the personal power to move the sun and planets. Quite amusing and interesting. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Original language
English
Original publication date
1759