| dc.description.abstract | Pope's "Essay on Man," Voltaire's Candide, and Johnson's Rasselas are treated in this thesis in the light of their opinions about the concept, "search for happiness.” Background information on the concept was limited to a few major writers from pre- and post-eighteenth-century periods. From the background material, the predominant views are that the "search" for happiness is inevitable in man, that it should be undertaken virtuously, and that it should not overwhelm the individual.
Pope approaches the problem of the "search for happiness” religiously and so "commands" absolute resignation to the Divine order. Voltaire's approach is skeptical. He seems not to accept the idea of a Divine order. So he suggests total self-reliance. Johnson is the "middleground-man." According to his view, neither a complete stoic resignation nor the refusal of the Divine order can bring lasting happiness. He presents a practical approach.
A hot search for happiness will not get man anywhere so he should, according to Johnson, "seize the day," make a choice in each case and live one day at a time. This theme of "Carpe Diem" is important to Johnson. Johnson also advocates the control of the rate of change as a way of controlling the mad quest for happiness and satisfaction.
The modern man seems to equate speed to success in life, but from Johnson's viewpoint, no harm is done as long as speed does not control man. This is Johnson's way of emphasizing personal virtue and of reconciling mankind to their present state. Despite change and how it encourages constant search, Johnson says that man must seize each present opportunity, make a choice, and act. | en |
