Rasselas page 90-end

Rasselas page 90-end

Margo Tanner, Christine Flynn, Thomas Brown

Due: 9/16/14

Negative outlook  

Nekayah connects family to a kingdom that is full of unhappiness and rivalry.  She says such a family is “torn with factions and exposed to revolutions,” (90).  She also insists that varying generations are in constant conflict by saying, “Parents and children seldom act in concert… The opinions of children and parents, of the young and the old, are naturally opposite,” (90). 

Nekayah is also feverishly against marriage, while Rasselas believes “Marriage is evidently the dictate of nature,” (94).  How does this affect her theory on generations disagreeing? If her a Rasselas (brother and sister) disagree, then doesn’t her family theory fall apart?

Pyramid visit

When they visit the pyramids, Imlac comments on the lack of necessity for the pyramids, but the desire for them anyways.  Is this the type of “want/desire” Rasselas is looking for?  Or does he crave a deeper passion and more meaningful? (102).

In class, we discussed the necessity to understand misery in order to experience happiness.  When Nekayah loses Pekuah, she experiences a deep sadness, has she ever felt this way before?  Is this the type of depression that one must feel to appreciate the good in a life?  When Pekuah returns, do you think Nekayah forgets her previous misery?

Fated to be unhappy

The chat with the sage reveals at an old age that the “world has lost its novelty,” (125).  As the sage reminisces of his old life filled with curiosity and passion, Imlac attempts to persuade the man to reinvent himself.  To which the sage responds, “Nothing is now of much importance; for I cannot extend my interest beyond myself,” (125).  Is Johnson indicating this is the fate for everyone?  If Rasselas is already feeling this way as a 20-something, is he destined for ultimate unhappiness? 

The last chapter of the book is titled, “The conclusion, in which nothing is concluded” (137).  Why is it titled this?  How is this an appropriate title?  Think about Rasselas’s initial goals and what was ultimately achieved. 

-          In this conclusion, the characters all realize what they want will never be attained in Abyssinia—henceforth, no real change has been made.

Final Questions

How does the concept of imagination play a role in this novel?  Is it seen as a positive characteristic or a dangerous one?

When Rasselas concludes that perfect virtue could lead to perfect happiness, but then suggest perfect virtue is not a possible concept, is he suggesting life is fated to be unhappy, regardless of one’s attempts?  What was Johnson trying to do with this conclusion?  Do you think the book maintains such negative sentiments because Johnson was unhappy himself? 

Think about Pekuah’s transformation.  Did she change for the worse or did her experiences give her the important “want” that Rasselas craves even though she knows she cannot be treated as a princess in Abyssinia? 

-          Also consider how her wants are what Nekayah and Rasselas have

-          Is this Johnson suggesting people will never be happy no matter what they are given?

They realize their desires cannot be achieved upon return to Abyssinia, why do they go?  What is the reason for their return?  Have they learned anything?