Samuel Johnson’s “London” (1738) stands as one of the most powerful satirical poems in 18th-century English literature. Written when Johnson was an unknown 29-year-old writer struggling to make a living in the city, this devastating critique of urban corruption, moral decay, and political injustice established him as a significant literary voice. This poem, modeled after Juvenal’s “Third Satire,” presents London through the eyes of Thales, a character preparing to flee the capital’s depravity for the countryside.
The Historical Context of “London”
Samuel Johnson wrote “London” during a particularly turbulent period in English history. Understanding the historical backdrop is crucial for appreciating the depth of Johnson’s social criticism.
Political Turmoil of 1730s England
The 1730s marked a time of significant political unrest in England. The poem appeared during Robert Walpole’s administration, widely criticized for corruption and accused of undermining British interests through appeasing foreign powers. Johnson, through his poetic persona Thales, attacks what he saw as Walpole’s corrupt governance:
“Since all, that in this world is great or gay,
Corrupts, when minds are prone to ill, away,
Success and Misery, alike destroy.”
The Jacobite tensions were also simmering beneath the surface, with many Englishmen questioning the legitimacy of the Hanoverian succession. Though Johnson would later become a loyal supporter of the establishment, his early work reflects some sympathy with opposition viewpoints.
Economic and Social Conditions
The London of Johnson’s day was experiencing:
- Rapid population growth
- Widening gap between rich and poor
- Rampant crime and public disorder
- Deteriorating living conditions for the working class
Johnson captures this social inequality vividly, describing how “Slow rises worth, by poverty depressed” – a line that reflected his own struggles as an impoverished writer as well as broader social inequality.
Literary Landscape of the Era
“London” appeared when:
- Neoclassical ideals dominated English poetry
- Satire had become a powerful political tool
- The tradition of the “imitation” (adapting classical works) was popular
By choosing to imitate Juvenal, Johnson placed himself within this established literary tradition while addressing contemporary issues facing 18th-century London.
Structural Analysis of “London”
Johnson’s poem follows a clear structure that enhances its satirical impact while showcasing his technical mastery.
Imitation of Juvenal’s Third Satire
Johnson deliberately modeled “London” after Juvenal’s “Third Satire,” creating what was known in the 18th century as an “imitation.” This technique allowed him to:
- Draw parallels between ancient Rome and contemporary London
- Utilize a proven satirical framework
- Gain credibility by associating with classical precedent
- Create ironic distance through historical comparison
The relationship between these two works goes beyond mere imitation. Johnson adapted Juvenal’s concerns about urban corruption to highlight similar problems in his own society, demonstrating how little human nature had changed over the centuries.
Poetic Form and Technical Elements
Johnson employs heroic couplets throughout “London,” a form that was perfectly suited to satire due to its:
- Capacity for pointed, epigrammatic expression
- Natural emphasis on balanced antithesis
- Rhythmic regularity that highlights deviations for emphasis
Examples of Johnson’s masterful use of this form include:
“This mournful truth is everywhere confessed,
SLOW RISES WORTH, BY POVERTY DEPRESSED.”
These lines demonstrate Johnson’s ability to create memorable, quotable statements that encapsulate complex social criticism within the tight constraints of the heroic couplet.
Thales as the Poetic Persona
Johnson speaks through Thales, a character preparing to leave London for the countryside. This framing device allows Johnson to:
- Voice harsh criticisms without directly claiming them
- Create dramatic tension through the departure scenario
- Establish a clear narrative framework for the poem
Thales serves as both a mouthpiece for Johnson’s views and as a character embodying the moral individual who cannot tolerate the city’s corruption.
Major Themes in “London”
Johnson’s poem explores several interconnected themes that reveal his deep concerns about urban society and human nature.
Corruption and Moral Decay
Johnson portrays London as thoroughly corrupted:
- Political leadership is self-serving and dishonest
- Justice is for sale to the highest bidder
- Virtue goes unrewarded while vice prospers
- Foreign influences corrupt native British values
One of the poem’s most powerful passages addresses how wealth dictates justice:
“This, this is found in ev’ry Lord Mayor’s show,
The shame and scandal of our sycophant nation,
Where justice is a traffic for a fee.”
City vs. Country Dichotomy
The poem establishes a stark contrast between:
| Urban London | Rural England |
|---|---|
| Corruption | Virtue |
| Artifice | Authenticity |
| Danger | Safety |
| Moral degradation | Moral purity |
| Foreignness | Englishness |
This dichotomy reflects both classical literary traditions and contemporary 18th-century anxieties about urbanization and its effects on traditional English values.
National Identity and Patriotism
Johnson expresses deep concern about the state of English national identity:
- Foreign influences (particularly French) threatening English culture
- Loss of traditional English virtues like honesty and straightforwardness
- Political leadership failing to protect national interests
- Decline from a glorious past to a degraded present
The poem laments how “Britannia’s bold support, the column falls,” suggesting that the very foundations of English greatness are being undermined.
Literary Devices and Poetic Techniques
Johnson employs numerous poetic techniques to enhance the impact of his satire.
Irony and Satire
“London” is fundamentally satirical, using various forms of irony to make its points:
- Verbal irony in seemingly praising what is actually being condemned
- Situational irony in depicting the reversal of natural justice
- Structural irony through the voice of Thales
For example, when Johnson writes that in London, “Malice, Rapine, Accident conspire, / And now a Rabble rages, now a Fire,” he employs biting irony to suggest that the city’s disasters, whether human or natural, are equally destructive.
Imagery and Symbolism
Johnson creates powerful visual imagery to represent London’s moral landscape:
- Images of filth and pollution representing moral corruption
- Darkness symbolizing ignorance and vice
- Foreign luxuries representing cultural decline
- The Thames as a symbol of the city’s poisoned lifeblood
The physical decay of London mirrors its moral decay:
“Here malice, rapine, accident, conspire,
And now a rabble rages, and now a fire;
Their ambush here relentless ruffians lay,
And here the fell attorney prowls for prey.”
Classical Allusions
The poem is rich with references to classical literature and history:
- Direct parallels to Juvenal’s Rome
- References to classical figures and myths
- Allusions to ancient virtues and vices
These allusions elevate Johnson’s criticism beyond mere complaint to a more universal commentary on human nature and society.
Samuel Johnson’s Literary Achievement
“London” represents a significant achievement in Johnson’s literary career and in 18th-century English poetry.
Critical Reception and Literary Impact
When published anonymously in May 1738, “London” was an immediate success:
- Sold out its first printing quickly
- Garnered praise from established critics
- Prompted Alexander Pope’s famous comment that the anonymous author “will soon be déterré” (discovered)
- Went through several editions in Johnson’s lifetime
The poem established Johnson as a major poetic voice even before his later achievements as a lexicographer, essayist, and critic.
Johnson’s Political Perspective
“London” reveals Johnson’s complex political views, which combined:
- Conservative respect for traditional English values
- Skepticism of those in power
- Concern for the moral foundations of society
- Awareness of the plight of the poor and marginalized
While Johnson would later become associated with more staunchly conservative views, “London” shows his early willingness to criticize the establishment.
Comparison with Johnson’s Later Works
“London” stands in interesting relation to Johnson’s later writings:
- Shares the moral concerns evident in “The Rambler” essays
- Displays the epigrammatic style that would characterize his prose
- Reveals early versions of themes he would explore throughout his career
- Contrasts with his later more balanced view of urban life in “The Vanity of Human Wishes”
Johnson’s later statement that “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life” suggests a significant evolution in his attitude toward the city he had so harshly criticized in his youth.
Relevance to Modern Readers
Despite being written nearly three centuries ago, “London” continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.
Enduring Concerns About Urban Life
Many of Johnson’s criticisms remain relevant to modern cities:
- Economic inequality
- Political corruption
- Crime and safety
- Cultural authenticity versus foreign influence
- The psychological impact of urban living
Modern readers can recognize their own urban experiences in Johnson’s 18th-century portrayal, suggesting the universality of certain aspects of city life.
Educational Value for Students
The poem offers students valuable insights into:
- The development of English satire
- 18th-century political and social concerns
- Neoclassical poetic techniques
- The life and times of Samuel Johnson
Studying “London” provides an accessible entry point into the complexities of 18th-century literature and history.
Contemporary Parallels
Current readers might draw parallels between Johnson’s concerns and modern issues:
- Debates about globalization echo Johnson’s anxieties about foreign influence
- Concerns about political corruption remain as relevant as ever
- Questions about urban quality of life continue to dominate public discourse
- The search for authentic experience in an increasingly artificial environment
These parallels make “London” not merely a historical artifact but a text that speaks to contemporary concerns.
Key Takeaways
- Johnson’s “London” stands as one of the most powerful satirical poems of the 18th century
- The poem adapts Juvenal’s “Third Satire” to critique 18th-century English society
- Major themes include corruption, urban decay, and the loss of national identity
- Johnson employs heroic couplets, vivid imagery, and classical allusions to enhance his satire
- The poem established Johnson as a significant literary voice and foreshadowed themes in his later work
- Many of Johnson’s criticisms of urban life remain relevant to modern readers
FAQ: London by Samuel Johnson
When was “London” by Samuel Johnson published?
“London” was published anonymously in May 1738, when Johnson was 29 years old and still relatively unknown in literary circles. The poem quickly sold out its first edition and established Johnson as a significant poetic voice.
What was Johnson imitating in his poem “London”?
Johnson was creating an “imitation” of Juvenal’s “Third Satire,” a classical Roman poem that similarly criticized urban corruption. This was a popular literary technique in the 18th century, allowing writers to address contemporary issues through classical frameworks.
What are the main criticisms Johnson makes of London in the poem?
Johnson criticizes political corruption, social inequality, crime, foreign influence (particularly French), moral decay, and the general chaos and danger of urban life. He contrasts these negative aspects with an idealized vision of rural English virtue.
How does Johnson’s view of London in this poem compare to his later opinions?
Interestingly, while “London” presents the city as almost irredeemably corrupt, Johnson later became known for his statement that “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” This suggests a significant evolution in his views, perhaps reflecting his own successful integration into London literary society after years of struggle.
What poetic form does Johnson use in “London”?
Johnson wrote “London” in heroic couplets—rhymed pairs of iambic pentameter lines. This was the dominant form for satire in the Augustan age, made famous by poets like Alexander Pope, and perfectly suited to epigrammatic expression and balanced antithesis.
Conclusion
Samuel Johnson’s “London” remains a masterpiece of 18th-century satirical poetry that transcends its historical moment. Through his adaptation of Juvenal’s framework, Johnson created a devastating critique of urban corruption that established his literary reputation while addressing timeless concerns about city life, political integrity, and social morality.
The poem’s enduring power lies in Johnson’s masterful use of poetic techniques—heroic couplets, vivid imagery, biting irony—to convey his moral vision. His depiction of London as a site of corruption, danger, and moral decay contrasts sharply with his idealization of rural England, reflecting both classical literary traditions and contemporary 18th-century anxieties.
For modern readers, “London” offers not only a window into 18th-century concerns but also a surprisingly relevant commentary on urban experience. The issues Johnson identified—inequality, corruption, crime, cultural authenticity—continue to preoccupy us today, making this 283-year-old poem speak with remarkable freshness to contemporary audiences.
