Samuel Johnson’s poem ‘London’ as a satirical portrayal of Eighteenth Century England.

Question:Discuss Samuel Johnson’s poem ‘London’ as a satirical portrayal of Eighteenth Century England.

Answer: Johnson’s “London” is not just a social satire on 18th-century English life but also a critique of the political landscape under Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole. Through Thales’s departure, Johnson paints a vivid picture of a morally corrupt London, plagued by vices. Walpole’s reign (1721-1742) allowed him considerable freedom,leading to a city tainted by malice, materialism, and conspiracy.

The poet vehemently attacks Walpole’s regime, praising Thales’s choice of the virtuous ‘Cambria’s solitary shore’ over London’s vice-ridden streets. The city has become a haven for ‘relentless Ruffians,’ where unsuspecting innocents are mugged, unscrupulous lawyers prey on clients, and homes crumble. Caroline, wife of George II, bombards people with atheist propaganda.

In the era of Elizabeth I, London was a symbol of triumph, but under Walpole’s rule, corruption, masquerades, and debauchery have eroded the nation’s morale. The traditional honor of Englishmen is now a standing joke. London’s walls are infested with vice, and it has become a ‘monstrous city’ devoid of learning and hope, where flattery guides one’s path.

The ruling elite’s pusillanimity and misguided policies have led to a city where flatterers sell their personalities to gain favor, depraved individuals exploit the peasantry, and illogical prattling politicians thrive. The youth indulge in vulgar operas, and sycophants adore masters’ weaknesses.

In this city, everyone is sycophantic, deceitful, and gregarious. Virtuous people like Thales face grinding poverty, labeled beggars and spies, living unhonored and dying unsung. London, influenced by the French, is a sewer where avarice, greed, and malice eat at the state’s vitals.

‘London’ as a Social Satire

The Eighteenth Century, known as the “Golden Age of English Satire,” upheld “Genteel taste” and stressed “correctness.” It was an era of materialism where ‘Good sense’ prevailed. Referred to as the Age of Reason, it promoted rational thinking and adherence to rules in literature and social life. The Restoration rebelled against Puritanism, deeming the religious as hypocrites. The royal court, influenced by the French, became a target for satire. This was complemented by imitations of classics like Horace, Juvenal, and Persius.

Dr. Johnson’s ‘London’ satirizes the French impact on English life after Charles II’s Restoration in 1660. It criticizes the king’s immoral behavior, lack of patriotism, and misuse of power. The society, freed from Puritan restraints, abandoned decency and law, resembling a nation in fever. The poem reflects the immorality and levity of the age in literature.

England turned into a society of parasites and sycophants, seeking favor from the rich. Merit and virtue had no place, and Thales, the poet’s persona, yearns to escape to Wales. The French influence dominated, flattery prevailed, and poets suffered in poverty. ‘London’ depicts a society where even warriors turned into dandies, officers amassed wealth through plunder, and flattery reigned.

Poem ‘London’ as a Political Satire

Beyond social satire, Johnson’s ‘London’ critiques the political scenario under Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole. Walpole, a shrewd manipulator, became the de facto Prime Minister, influencing the king and forming an early version of the cabinet. The poem questions Walpole’s foreign policy and handling of conflicts like the war of Jenkins’s Ear. Johnson criticizes the government’s policies on excise duty, stage licensing, and political pensions.

The poem censures the loss of traditional values, moral decay, and the French influence leading to chaos. London imitates French culture, and the rich manipulate politics for self-gain. Johnson condemns the corrupt practices, lavish lifestyles, and sycophancy. Even the countryside faces disruption from ostentatious landlords.

Conclusion

Samuel Johnson’s ‘London’ boldly exposes the weaknesses of the city. It serves as a potent social and political satire, skillfully using words to highlight the city’s pusillanimity, folly, deceit, and sycophancy. The poem is a humorous yet incisive commentary on the state of London in Johnson’s time.