MDDM Ch. 77 Dogs and dogsbodies

[jbor]

[...]

> << the actual circumstances and conversations of these
> later meetings having been lost to that "Void of forgetfulness". (And it
> draws the reader's attention to the fact that almost everything else which
> is narrated in the novel has been fabulated in precisely the same way.)>>
> 
> Which is the quote from Boswell, but no matter...

Sorry to disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure it's Johnson.

> Mason, however, seems to see himself in Johnson.
> 
>>> I didn't get this impression. Is there something specific in the text ...?<<
> 
> 746.18.

    The abruptness of the Doctor's question reminds Mason of himself,
    addressing the Learnèd English Dog, a dozen years ago...his mouth creeps
    upwards at the corners etc

Mason smiles at the Doctor's impetuous desire to learn about the Native
Americans' "Powers" and how they use them. It's a bitter smile, for the
L.E.D. and his canine cohorts never did provide Chas with a satisfactory
answer, and nor will Mason give the Doctor one.

> Johnson is blunt and honest, as was the
> historical Johnson, and he is no less so with Boswell, who
> has learned to deal with it.

No, I don't think so. Johnson dismisses the Scots as shysters (745.16) and
bloodthirsty cannibals (745-6), and he calls Mason a "Lunatick" (747.16).
The Doctor's an arrogant racist. Boswell just rolls his eyes (745.21).

best