The Life of Samuel Johnson

Boswell argues that Johnson is not only a great writer but a great human being as well. Do you agree? Why or why not? Do you think that artistic or intellectual genius can make up for personal flaws?

Scholars have argued whether the Life constitutes a true biography or not. Do you consider it to perform the function of a biography?

In your opinion, why might Boswell have chosen to chronicle Johnson’s life in such detail? Does this level of detail enhance the work, in your view?