286. Samuel Johnson
P1- J, a neoclassical literary critic, values the importance of the detail in literature, and he would underscore the need for the telling.P2 - J's critical method had much in common with that of Romantics.
J was aware of the sterility of the literary criticism that is legalistic or pedantic. His argument against the "three unities" of classical drama was an example.
J: the practice will be allowed. There is always an appeal from criticism to nature.
P3 - The sentiment could be endorsed by the Romantics. -- The empiricism is vital quality of J's criticism and makes possible a more direct appeal to the emotions of the reader.
J critisized AC: ” communicate no vibration to the heart.". W couldn't demur.
P4 - J's views on the question of poetic diction are "modern". J defends the use of a special diction in poetry. For J, poetic diction should serve the ends of direct emotional impact and ease of comprehension.