2005 Lionel Basney Award
Phillip J. Donnelly, “Enthusiastic Poetry and Rationalized Christianity: The Poetic Theory of John Dennis.” Volume 54, Issue 2 (Winter 2005): pp. 235-64. Donnelly is an assistant professor of literature at Baylor University
Text of 2005 Publications Committee Citation
Phillip J. Donnelly offers a very well documented article on the poetic theory of a British eighteenth century figure, John Dennis, who influenced the writings of nineteenth century Romantics William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge. In a solid piece of scholarship, based on Dennis’s critical writings, The Advancement and Reformation of Modern Poetry (1701) and The Grounds of Criticism in Modern Poetry (1704), Donnelly bears out well with great detail his scheme of argument for the historical contexts impinged upon by the writings of Dennis; how his appropriation of classical aesthetics, notably Longinus, is shaped by a reductive rationalism; and that such a view of reason determines his “anti-philosophical” defense of Christianity. Donnelly’s repeated substantiation of Dennis’s view of “rational enthusiasm” as a connection between “great thoughts” and “enthusiastic passions” elaborates the distinctive use of the terms enthusiasm, sublimity, and Christianity, thereby situating Dennis in relation not only to Christianity, but also to rationalism and romanticism. The dialogue with and application to contemporary critical debate (on postmodernism) is impressive and makes the essay of value even to readers of Christianity and Literature whose interest or specialization lies outside early eighteenth century British literature. At the beginning of his essay, Donnelly states, “The discourse of intersection between Christianity and literature cannot become truly postmodern without the articulation of alternative historical narratives that investigate the rhetorical strategies by which such caricatures [of Christianity as popular Platonism and of the accompanying reduction of Christianity and Platonism to a proto-Enlightenment coercive rationalism] came to be presumed.” He then proceeds persuasively within the text of his article, supported by comprehensive notes, to elucidate how Dennis’s writings give us insight into such an alternative history. Indeed, Donnelly does clarify what Dennis attempts to show, “that the traditional philosophic antinomy between reason and passion is properly addressed only through Christian revelation.”
The Publications Committee is delighted to name Phillip J. Donnelly the recipient of the sixth annual Lionel Basney Award in his giving readers the best article published in Volume 54 of Christianity and Literature.
2005 Publications Committee
Helen R. Andretta, York College—The City University of New York, Jamaica, New York (Chair, 2005)
Joe B. Fulton, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Brian Ingraffia, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan