When i first started reading this book, I was expecting the plot to be very exciting and adventurous. The beginning pages of the text presented a desire for exploration and excitement in the main character, Rasselas. I was pleased about this because after reading “Pamela” I was overdue for a little adventure and excitement in my readings. Originally I did not understand why it was labeled an “anti-novel” in our syllabus, but after expecting excitement but receiving none, I now understand the reason for this term.
This misunderstanding of the purpose of the text does not mean I did not enjoy reading this story. It was actually one of the more enjoyable readings I have done this year. It reads something like the philosophical essays I have been reading in other courses. The message of the pursuit of happiness is very easy to grasp and I can relate to many of the issues presented in this text to my own life. The way it is presented as a more adventurous novel is also interesting as the avoidance of any real action and the reliance of character interaction says a lot for Johnson’s own views on the purpose of writing.
Another interesting aspect of this novel that I needed to have pointed out for me to truly appreciate is the orientalism involved in the text. I thought the perspectives presented regarding the Europeans was very interesting. They are presented as a sort of super race that uses knowledge to gain power. This opinion is very interesting when it is expressed from the point of view of a non-european explaining it to the naive prince.
