Dr.Johnson's letter to Lord Chesterfield as an example of fine literary style and satire

      Dr Johnson's, "Letter to Chesterfield", has been keyed out as literature's "Declaration of Independence". This was a personal letter from Johnson to the Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Dormer, wrote on February 7, 1755. Although Lord Chesterfield was a patron, he made no moves to contribute to the progress of the Dictionary until seven years. When the Dictionary was upon the eve of publication, he wrote two papers in 'The World' for the recommendation of Johnson's work: A Dictionary of the English Language.

  

      This appalled Johnson and in response, he wrote to him one of the most acidic and effective letters of refusal ever written. Johnson crafts a dazzling and audacious rebuke no aristocratic patron had been dismissed this way before. Though Johnson's language used throughout the letter was very diplomatic, he was able to put his point across. His tone throughout the letter was very cynical and sarcastic; he also uses a handful amount of allusions to allude to his point. Instead of using offensive language, Johnson couched his words humbly. A satirical tone runs throughout the letter.

      Below are the quotations from the text (along with their explanation) which support my point:-

# "To be so distinguished is an honour which, being very little accustomed to favours from the Great, I know not well how to receive, or in what terms to acknowledge."

              

      Johnson says, 'Am I an ordinary man, became so prominent to get recommendation from such a great lord as Lord Chesterfield? I am, not generally, in habit of getting such approvals and hence, I don't understand how to receive such favours and how to thanks Lord Chesterfield'.

      Johnson, in a way, hammers Lord Chesterfield in these lines, because he did nothing, and hence, thanking him and receiving a favour, is just out of question.

# "Le Vainqueur du Vainqueur de la Terre"

            
      Lord Chesterfield was a noted patron of arts. When he agreed for being Johnson's patron, he (Johnson) got so much empowered that he felt he was the conqueror of the world's conqueror. But, in actual, he didn't have done anything to prove himself a patron at all.

# ".....without one act of assistance, one word of encouragement, or one smile of favour. Such treatment I did not expect, for I never had a Patron before."

    

      Here, Johnson says, 'Lord Chesterfield never uttered one word of motivation, not even a favourable smile for those seven years. And now, when my Dictionary is at the verge of publication, he wrote endorsements, which implies that because of my patron's assistance, I am able to complete my Dictionary. I never expected such behaviour from a patron, because I never had a patron before.'

# "The Shepherd in Virgil grew at last acquainted with love, and found him a native of the rocks. "

      Virgil, a Roman writer composed the epic poem, Aeneid. The shepherd looked for love everywhere and found at last that love is difficult. It is as impossible to get affection from Chesterfield as it is from rocks.

   

#    Then, Johnson took the metaphor of a drowning man. There is a satire in calling himself a drowning man. --- "Is not a Patron, My Lord, one who looks with unconcern on a Man struggling for Life in the water and when he has reached ground encumbers him with help."

#     He, later, criticizes Lord Chesterfield for taking the credit for helping Johnson financially, although he didn't have done anything.
"The notice which you have been pleased to take of my Labours...."

#     Johnson slyly says that now, his little help makes no difference to Johnson, because when he needed help, Lord Chesterfield didn't showed up and hence, he is not willing to say thanks when no help is being received by him. In fact, Johnson's fortune enabled him to provide help for himself. 
"I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligation where no benefit has been received, or to be unwilling that the Public should consider me as owing that to a Patron, which Providence has enabled me to do for myself."

               

#           Johnson finally admits satirically that if Lord Chesterfield got upset by his (Johnson's) letter and don't write anything in the recommendation of the Dictionary further, then Johnson would not get disappointed. "I shall not be disappointed though I should conclude it, if less be possible, with less...... "

#          After assaulting him so slyly, he called Lord Chesterfield most humble and himself, his obedient servant.   " My lord, Your Lordship's Most humble, most obedient servant."

            

            This letter of Johnson became a classic example of elegant writing. The satire in the letter is easily evident, but the language is a fine example of courtesy and restrain. He draws attention to the disappointing behaviour of Lord Chesterfield by projecting himself as utterly unqualified for the latter's favours. He clearly puts across the negligent attitude of Lord Chesterfield towards him. He also firmly rejects the attempt by the nobleman to appropriate the position of the patron. Lord Chesterfield is known to have displayed Johnson's letter on his table as an example of fine writing.

                                      THE END