Is Johnson's description of the effect reading novels produces in the individual similar to the function of monomania or delusion? Is this interpretation of Johnson's quote supported in The Female Quixote?
But if the power of example is so great, as to take possession of the memory by a kind of violence, and produce effects almost without the intervention of the will, care ought to be taken that, when the choice is unrestrained, the best examples only should be exhibited; and that which is likely to operate so strongly, should not be mischievous or uncertain in its effects.
-Johnson
...her imagination, always prepossessed with the same fantastic Ideas, made her stumble upon another Mistake, equally absurd and ridiculous.
-Lennox Pg. 21
The Oxford English Dictionary contains two distinct descriptions of monomania: a form of mental illness characterized by a single pattern of repetitive and intrusive thoughts or actions and an exaggerated or fanatical enthusiasm for or devotion to one subject; an obsession, craze. The first description matches closely with our clinical description of obsession whereas the latter is more aligned to our colloquial usage of the word obsession. Both clinical and colloquial obsession augment the affects of individuals. In clinical obsession, the individual experiences a great amount of anxiety, whereas in fanatical obsession the obsession has a myriad of positive effects on the affect of the individual. While the individual may be conscious of an obsession, they often have little control over the effect it elicits in them. They perceive the effects of the obsession as personal, and do not expect others to share their experience. The description of delusion in the OED states that it is anything that deceives the mind with a false impression; a deception; a fixed false opinion or belief with regard to objective things. Delusions augment the perceptions of the individual. Furthermore, by definition, the individual has neither control nor awareness of the effect the delusion. The perceptive lens caused by a delusion are not experienced as unique to themselves, rather they expect others to share their experience.
Johnson's specific phrase, "as to take possession of the the memory by a kind of violence" suggests that the specific function of the novels on readers is some augmentation of their perception, rather than their affect. The phrase "prepossessed with the same fantastic Ideas" suggests also that it is Arabella's perceptions that are being augmented by her delusion. The interpretation of Johnson's quote to mean that reading functions somewhat similarly to delusion is supported by the selected quote from Lennox.
But if the power of example is so great, as to take possession of the memory by a kind of violence, and produce effects almost without the intervention of the will, care ought to be taken that, when the choice is unrestrained, the best examples only should be exhibited; and that which is likely to operate so strongly, should not be mischievous or uncertain in its effects.
-Johnson
...her imagination, always prepossessed with the same fantastic Ideas, made her stumble upon another Mistake, equally absurd and ridiculous.
-Lennox Pg. 21
The Oxford English Dictionary contains two distinct descriptions of monomania: a form of mental illness characterized by a single pattern of repetitive and intrusive thoughts or actions and an exaggerated or fanatical enthusiasm for or devotion to one subject; an obsession, craze. The first description matches closely with our clinical description of obsession whereas the latter is more aligned to our colloquial usage of the word obsession. Both clinical and colloquial obsession augment the affects of individuals. In clinical obsession, the individual experiences a great amount of anxiety, whereas in fanatical obsession the obsession has a myriad of positive effects on the affect of the individual. While the individual may be conscious of an obsession, they often have little control over the effect it elicits in them. They perceive the effects of the obsession as personal, and do not expect others to share their experience. The description of delusion in the OED states that it is anything that deceives the mind with a false impression; a deception; a fixed false opinion or belief with regard to objective things. Delusions augment the perceptions of the individual. Furthermore, by definition, the individual has neither control nor awareness of the effect the delusion. The perceptive lens caused by a delusion are not experienced as unique to themselves, rather they expect others to share their experience.
Johnson's specific phrase, "as to take possession of the the memory by a kind of violence" suggests that the specific function of the novels on readers is some augmentation of their perception, rather than their affect. The phrase "prepossessed with the same fantastic Ideas" suggests also that it is Arabella's perceptions that are being augmented by her delusion. The interpretation of Johnson's quote to mean that reading functions somewhat similarly to delusion is supported by the selected quote from Lennox.
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