# The Story of Imlac Continued explained — The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

> Chapter companion for The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson.

## What happens

Imlac confesses to Prince Rasselas that the inhabitants of the Happy Valley are not truly happy, lamenting their confinement and envy. Rasselas reveals his long-meditated plan to escape and asks Imlac to be his guide. Imlac warns of the world's dangers but agrees to help. He then continues his personal history, describing his return to Abyssinia after years of travel, only to find his father dead, his friends gone, and his attempts at a settled life thwarted by rejection and disappointment, leading him to seek refuge in the Happy Valley.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Search for Happiness

Rasselas's determination to judge the various conditions of men and make a deliberate choice of life drives the chapter, as he rejects the valley's false contentment.

### The Vanity of Human Wishes

Imlac's return to Abyssinia reveals the futility of his hopes for reunion and recognition, as his father is dead, friends gone, and his efforts to settle are rebuffed.

### The Illusion of Perfect Places

Imlac exposes the Happy Valley as a place of hidden misery and envy, contradicting its reputation as a paradise.

## Character check-ins

### Rasselas

The Prince confesses his discontent and long-meditated plan to escape the Happy Valley, seeking Imlac's guidance.

### Imlac

Imlac reveals the truth about the valley's misery, warns Rasselas of the world's dangers, and continues his personal history of disappointment and retreat.

## Key lines

> I know not one of all your attendants who does not lament the hour when he entered this retreat.

Imlac tells Rasselas that every inhabitant of the Happy Valley regrets coming there.

_Imlac reveals the universal discontent hidden beneath the valley's surface._

> I have long meditated an escape from the Happy Valley.

Rasselas confesses that he has been planning to leave the valley for a long time.

_Rasselas takes the first step toward action by sharing his secret plan with Imlac._

> I am resolved to judge with mine own eyes of the various conditions of men, and then to make deliberately my choice of life.

Rasselas is determined to see the world for himself and then decide how to live.

_This statement encapsulates Rasselas's central quest for a deliberate and informed life choice._

> A man used to vicissitudes is not easily dejected.

Someone accustomed to change and hardship does not become quickly discouraged.

_Imlac reflects on his own resilience after facing disappointment upon returning home._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters/xii-the-story-of-imlac-continued
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_history_of_rasselas_prince_of_abyssinia_se/chapters