Deformities of Samuel Johnson, Selected from His Works

"Deformities of Samuel Johnson, Selected from His Works" by James Thomson Callender is a fiery takedown of a famous writer, aiming sharp darts at his ego and work, using the writer's own words as weapons. The pamphlet kicks off by saying its goal out loud, ready to tear down the writer's reputation, pointing out what the author sees as flaws in both writing and personal qualities; the opening is filled with a feeling of dislike and a promise to dig into the writer's faults, driven by a mix of personal anger and a fight against high and mighty literary figures. Through selective quotes and cutting remarks, the author paints a picture of someone deeply flawed, questioning the writer's worthiness of praise and sparking a debate about fame and what makes someone worthy of it.