Question

1. Respond: Basing your answer on this excerpt from Life, would you

have liked Samuel Johnson? Explain.
2. (a) Recall: How did Boswell meet Johnson? (b) Infer: What does their
conversation at that meeting tell you about each of them?
3. (a) Recall: What are some of the topics Johnson discusses that Boswell
records "without marking the questions and observations" that
produced them? (b) Infer: What do Johnson's opinions on these topics
suggest about his interests and knowledge?
4. (a) Recall: Briefly summarize Boswell's remarks on Johnson's
character. (b) Evaluate: Would Johnson have been less interesting if he
had been less "contradictory"? Explain.
5. Compare and Contrast: In what ways is Boswell's Life similar to and
different from modern biographies you have read? Explain. Hambr
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6. Hypothesize: What makes biography, the genre Boswell helped
establish, so popular today?

Simples answers please!!!!!

Answer 1

1. Based on the excerpt from Life, I cannot say for certain whether or not I would have liked Samuel Johnson as a person. However, I find his witty and intelligent conversation style appealing, and I appreciate his willingness to engage in thoughtful discussions on a wide range of topics.

2. (a) Boswell first met Johnson at a bookshop in London. (b) Their conversation at that meeting suggests that Boswell was eager to impress Johnson with his knowledge and wit, while Johnson was initially skeptical of Boswell's abilities but eventually came to appreciate his company and conversation.

3. (a) Some of the topics Johnson discusses include literature, politics, religion, and philosophy. (b) Johnson's opinions on these topics suggest that he was well-read and knowledgeable in a variety of subjects, and that he had strong opinions and was not afraid to express them.

4. (a) Boswell describes Johnson as "a man of great power and vigor of mind, of a sallies of wit and humor," but also notes that he could be "irascible and violent." (b) Johnson's "contradictory" nature, while sometimes frustrating, also made him more interesting and dynamic as a person.

5. Boswell's Life is similar to modern biographies in that it seeks to provide a comprehensive and detailed account of a person's life and character. However, it differs in its focus on personal anecdotes and conversations, rather than just a straightforward chronological account of events.

6. Biographies are popular today because they allow readers to gain insight into the lives and experiences of notable individuals, and to learn from their successes and failures. They also provide a window into the historical and cultural context of a particular time and place, and can help us better understand the world around us.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

(a) Boswell met Johnson at a bookshop. (b) Their conversation shows that Boswell was eager to impress Johnson and was interested in his opinions, while Johnson was skeptical and not easily impressed.

(a) Johnson discusses various topics such as literature, politics, and religion. (b) Johnson's opinions on these topics suggest that he was well-read, informed, and had strong opinions on a variety of subjects.

(a) Boswell remarks that Johnson was a contradictory person who could be both kind and gruff, generous and miserly. (b) Johnson would not have been less interesting if he had been less contradictory, as it was precisely his complex personality that made him fascinating to Boswell and others.

Boswell's Life is similar to modern biographies in that it attempts to provide a comprehensive account of a person's life, including their character, achievements, and relationships. However, it differs in that it is more subjective and less concerned with objective facts, and also includes extensive dialogue and anecdotes.

Biography is popular today because it allows readers to learn about the lives and personalities of notable figures, and to gain insights into the historical and cultural contexts in which they lived. Biographies also appeal to readers' curiosity and fascination with the lives of others, and can provide inspiration and guidance for their own lives.