# A Reminiscence of Dr. Samuel Johnson explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by H. P. Lovecraft.

## What happens

The narrator, Humphry Littlewit, reveals that he is actually 228 years old, having been born in 1690. He recounts his long association with the literary figures of the 18th century, focusing on his friendship with Dr. Samuel Johnson. He describes their first meeting in 1763, their membership in The Literary Club, and various anecdotes involving Johnson, Boswell, Goldsmith, and others. The chapter is a nostalgic, rambling recollection of a bygone era.

## Themes in this chapter

### Art and the Artist

The chapter focuses on the lives, works, and rivalries of literary figures such as Johnson, Pope, and Goldsmith, exploring the nature of artistic creation and criticism.

### Alienation and Otherness

The narrator's extreme age (228 years) sets him apart from his contemporaries, and he is tolerated more for his years than his wit, highlighting his sense of isolation.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Johnson

The central figure of the reminiscence; described as full, pursy, ill-dressed, and convulsive, but a brilliant conversationalist and poet.

### Mr. James Boswell

A young Scotchman who introduced the narrator to Dr. Johnson; described as having small wit and a tendency to lampoon.

### Unknown Narrator

Reveals himself as Humphry Littlewit, born in 1690, now 228 years old; a friend of Pope, Addison, Swift, and Johnson.

### Sir John Hawkins

A founder of The Literary Club, described as eccentric and later ostracized for insulting Mr. Burke.

### Kilderry

Mentioned as a member of The Literary Club; a critic.

## Key lines

> Be it then known that I was born on the family Estate in Devonshire, of the 10th day of August, 1690, (or in the new Gregorian Stile of Reckoning, the 20th of August) being therefore now in my 228th year.

The narrator reveals he was born in 1690, making him 228 years old at the time of writing.

_This establishes the narrator's supernatural longevity and sets the stage for his reminiscences._

> Sir, I possess no Recollection of having perus'd your Paper, and have not a great Interest in the Opinions of the less thoughtful Part of Mankind.

Johnson dismisses the narrator's periodical and implies the narrator is not worth reading.

_Shows Johnson's characteristic bluntness and the initial tension between him and the narrator._

> Hush, Toctor Shonson iss going to speak!

A foreign guest interrupts Goldsmith, telling him to be quiet because Johnson is about to speak.

_Illustrates the deference shown to Johnson and the slighting of Goldsmith, causing lasting hostility._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/a-reminiscence-of-dr-samuel-johnson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_26_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters