Final answer:
A quality biography should provide an accurate portrayal of the subject's life within its historical context. Boswell's "The Life of Samuel Johnson" deviates from this ideal by presenting a biased representation of Johnson's character.
Step-by-step explanation:
A quality biography is characterized by an accurate portrayal of the subject's life within its historical context. It should provide factual information and present the subject's actions, beliefs, and motivations in a balanced and objective manner. Biographies should be well-researched, using reliable sources to gather information about the subject's life and the events that shaped it.
Boswell's "The Life of Samuel Johnson" deviates from this ideal by presenting a biased representation of Johnson's character. Boswell idolized Johnson and depicted him as a larger-than-life figure, ignoring his flaws and exaggerating his virtues. This biased portrayal can be seen in Boswell's constant admiration and praise for Johnson, as well as his tendency to omit or downplay negative aspects of Johnson's life.
For example, Boswell consistently presents Johnson as a wise and virtuous individual, despite evidence to the contrary. In one instance, Boswell recounts an incident where Johnson insulted and berated a woman, but portrays it as a display of Johnson's straightforward honesty rather than his rudeness. This selective presentation of events skews the reader's perception of Johnson and prevents a truly accurate portrayal within the historical context.