MDDM Ch. 77 Dogs and dogsbodies

[jbor]

> Boswell, I think, but Johnson if you prefer,

Johnson, I think, who interrupts at will and is by far the more long-winded
of the two.

> because that
> reinforces even more he who would "pluck a few words from
> the multitudes rushing toward the Void of forgetfulness?"
> I.e., the particular observer of Johnson, Boswell. [747.34].

Which was my point. Boswell, like Wicks, is a very *particular* observer and
not just "any Third Observer". In fact, Boswell, vis à vis Johnson, isn't a
"*Third* Observer" at all.

> The Scots he sees as "strong" and "shrewd." Mason, according
> to Wicks, desires to be included as a Lunatick. Boswell is either
> rolling his eyes, or has eyes for the last roll.

It's a neat turn of phrase, as is the description of Mason's wry smile just
after (746.19-20). These two details (along with other non-verbal cues in
the scene) show that there's an extra level of communication going on
between Mason and Boswell behind Johnson's back, or perhaps beneath his
notice. Boswell's actually eating a chop, nasty "Cannibal" that he is. And
Johnson stereotypes the Scots thoroughly (745.18-20). In the context of what
else he's saying about them, his description of the Scots as "strong,
shrewd" is not meant as a compliment. He regards them as a meaner race than
the British, as "Savages" just like the Native Americans. Like Franklin
earlier, it's a pretty scathing portrait of the Doctor.

> Either way he's 
> compromised. [745.17, 747.18, 745.21]

I like the way that Mason tries to engage Boswell in conversation, but
Johnson keeps interrupting with his pompous harangues. The Doctor certainly
has an overblown sense of his self-importance. I also like the way that
Boswell positions himself in the discourse as a secretary rather than as an
equal interlocutor (744.17, 746.8). He's learnt his place.

best