The Life of Samuel Johnson

Boswell returns to London in March 1772 and visits Johnson in his study. Boswell is defending a schoolmaster accused of beating his pupils and consults Johnson about the case. Johnson defends corporal punishment in general, because “children, being not reasonable, can be governed only by fear” (487). Instilling fear in this way is the duty of a parent, and a schoolmaster acts in loco parentis:

Corporal punishment only becomes cruel when it is excessive. Johnson, and Boswell, believe that the schoolmaster was not cruel or excessive. Johnson’s conviction about the necessity of corporal punishment in school reflects his own school experiences as recounted in the early chapters of the Life.

As previously mentioned, legal discussions are a notable sidelight in the Life; Johnson frequently shows detailed opinions and knowledge of British law, and Boswell reproduces a number of his written opinions. Through these passages, Boswell suggests the wide-ranging nature of Johnson’s thought and his mastery of a number of subjects through self-study.

In April 1773, Boswell is accepted into the Literary Club, to his relief and satisfaction. His first attendance at a meeting is on April 30, when he is introduced to Burke, Goldsmith, and the others. As is clear from Boswell’s narration, he is now able to take full part in the discussions of the illustrious members of the club; his acceptance marks a turning point in his social life and career.