The Barren Years: A Further Consideration of Johnson's Prejudice Against Scotland

Abstract

Durkee considers Johnson's prejudice against Scotland and finds the roots in dislike of Whiggery and Presbyterianism, but even more importantly, in his view that Scotland was a primitive place.  He saw its lack of developmmet as a violation of his conviction that "man is put into this world to serve God to the utmost of his abilities" But Johnson held high standards for himself as well, and felt his own very productive years of achievement were his "Barren Years" not fully serving God to the utmost of his abilities.