is easier to understand if you read the last four lines before starting at the beginning. Those lines state, These goods for man the laws of Heavn ordain, / These goods he grants, who grants the power to gain; / With these celestial wisdom calms the mind, / And makes the happiness she does not find (365-368). When he writes these goods beginning lines 365 and 366, Johnson refers to the goods man can only obtain by believing in that which is beyond physical reality. When a person can grasp that concept, they can then make a new spiritual reality that brings true happiness. In his book Donald Greene displays how Johnson emphasizes bitter reality in order to help his readers escape reality with him. He writes, It is true that the first 342 of the 368 lines of the poem recount in depressing detail the failure to insure happiness of such values as wealth, fame, political ambition, etc.... To be sure the contemplation of these lines is not pleasant. But for critics to maunder on about Johnsons tragic view of life....is utterly beside the point (Updated 36-37). Greene captured Johnsons idea of more than a happy ending, but a grasp of that which is beyond reality.A place beyond reality is where Johnson goes to escape and would like to take his readers. In order to take his readers there, he asks, Where then shall Hope and Fear their objects find? (343). After describing so vividly the lack of reward from earthly possessions and placing a void in the readers head, Johnson attempts to help the reader fill that void with answers from beyond that which they know is real. Johnson realizes there are two answers to his question, and quickly inundates with reason the stoic answer. Johnson says that one cannot choose this alternative of ignorance by writing, Must dull Suspense corrupt the stagnant mind? / Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, / Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate? / Must no dislike alarm, no wishes rise, / No cries ...
