Oliver Goldsmith
-clearly
of the bohemian persuasion:
ÒLet schoolmasters puzzle their brain, With grammar, and nonsense,
and learning, Good liquor, I stoutly maintain, Gives genius a better
discerning.Ó
ÒWhere wealth
accumulates, men decay.Ó [1]
-
GoldsmithÕs ÒVicar of WakefieldÓ 18th century Òcuriously desultoryÓ
minor fiction, inspired Dickens [grouped with ClelandÕs ÒMemoirs of a Woman of
PleasureÓ (1749) Ð the first pornographic English novel]
-whereas
Burke is the descendent of Pope, Goldsmith is that of Wycherly (less directly
Addison): he wrote popular sentimental comedies that had middle class appeal
(easy to write / watch) ÐÐ also sentimental novels: ÒShe Stoops to ConquerÓ
(1773) a Ô70s fad
-ÒThe
Deserted VillageÓ Ð a reaction to Ôagrobusiness driving substinence farming
from the land.Õ
-raised
on the lyrical improvisation of blind Carolan (Irish harp player)
-indicative
of the widening perspective on English culture: ÒCitizen of the WorldÓ (1762) Ð
Chinese visitor comments on British culture (French influence: modeled on
French equivalent [Persian visitor])
-this
link included (to text and discussion of GoldsmithÕs ÒA Goodnatured ManÓ):
www-personal.umich.edu/.../
goldsmith/goodntr.htm
