Feminism in The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

Samuel Johnsons The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia and Its Feminist Conclusion, in which Nothing is Concluded Feminism is described in many ways, but mainly it can be gathered as a movement against oppression, which fights for the civil and political equality of women and men, and towards the opportunity of self-independence. During the eighteenth century, Great Britains society offered little opportunity for women to take part in the active roles of the male dominated world. Women were unable to participate in political, economic or social dealings. Society understood that women were supposed to be submissive to men, that their natural destiny was marriage, and that women needed only minimal education. Denying women a†¦show more content†¦There is nothing new in his teachings and counseling. Rasselas knows he needs something new in his life and that he needs to learn the knowledge of others in the outside world. Inside the valley, Rasselas meets Imlac, who teaches him new knowledge. Imlac tells Rasselas his life story and how he came to live in the valley. Rasselas seems t o be infatuated with Imlac and his adventures throughout the world. Imlac knows that life outside of the valley will not be what Rasselas expects, but still he leads him on, because he knows that Rasselas has to learn things for himself and by himself. Imlac introduces him to tales he never could have imagined: of violent oppression, cruelty, robbery, envy, pride, power and even poetry. He also spoke to him about people and the human condition. When Imlac speaks about he Europeans, Johnson introduces one of his most important themes, which is education. ‘They are more powerful, sir than we, answered Imlac, ‘because they are wiser; knowledge will always predominate over ignorance, as man governs the other animals. But why their knowledge is more than ours, I know not what reason can be given, but the insearchable will of the Supreme Being (91). Nevertheless, Johnson individualizes the nations regarding their felicity, disregarding the European belief, by emphasizing that knowledge is by all resources an instrument towards pleasure and that with