SOURCE: "Sex and Love, Marriage and Friendship: A Feminist Reading of the Quest for Happii;iess in Rasselas," in English Studies, Vol. 6, 1985, pp. 513-25.

In the following essay, Hansen argues that Johnson portrays friendship as the way to happiness in Rasselas. Hansen also suggets that Johnson's depiction of friendship suggests his view that women and men share an equal humanity.

In this article I intend to argue that happiness is not shown to be unobtainable in Rasselas, although it is not connected with any particular way of life. Happiness arises from friendship, that is, from equal and affectionate relationships, which may break down the barriers of social, generational and gender differences. I call it a feminist reading because I place special emphasis on the role played by the female characters, whom I examine in relation to the preconceptions of eighteenth century literature and the contemporary attitudes. It will...