attempt the mercies of the skies? (344-348). The skies represent that which is beyond reality. If you are not seeking it and instead keep a stagnant mind, but know it is there, you will be at the mercy of that which does not follow the rules of reality.Johnson is convinced that you must fill your mind with that which is theoretical in order to achieve happiness with that that is justifiable. Inquirer, cease, petitions yet remain, / Which Heavn may hear, nor deem religion vein. / Still raise for good the supplicating voice, / But leave to Heavn the measure and the choice,... (349-352), are difficulty translated lines that reiterate Johnsons view. The lines say that may not know their fate and could beg all they want for answers, but it is a constant faith in the reality that exists beyond human reality that is necessary for happiness. And if you keep a constant faith in the entity beyond our reality you are rewarded with death. Along with On the Death of Dr. Robert Levet, in The Vanity of Human Wishes Johnson views death as an escape from reality. In Death the passing of a friend was his escape from the reality of the life Levet had led. In Vanity death is a reward for those who have already gone beyond reality through faith. This is best explained by Johnson as he writes, For patience sovreign oer transmuted ill; / For faith, that panting for a happier seat, / Counts death kind Natures signal of retreat (362-364). The keywords are patience with the faith you must have and retreat, which is the sign of victory, in this case keeping the faith in that which was previously beyond reality. In the last line Nature is everything that could avert you from the faith you have, if nature retreats and you die then it is possible you can begin to understand that which you thought was beyond reality, and it becomes reality. Johnson wrote Vanity in an attempt to escape reality and to bring himself closer to understanding the reality that c...
