Humility: Johnson acknowledges the limitations of his work, emphasizing the inherent difficulty and subjectivity of lexicography. He expresses his awareness that he might have made errors and welcomes criticism.
Confidence: Despite acknowledging the challenges, Johnson displays unwavering confidence in the value and importance of his project. He asserts that his dictionary will be a significant contribution to English literature and language.
Exasperation: Johnson expresses frustration with the inconsistencies and inadequacies of existing dictionaries, as well as the critical reception he faced from some quarters. He criticizes the superficiality and lack of thoroughness of his predecessors.
In addition to these primary tones, Johnson's Preface also reveals his:
* Passion for language: He expresses a deep love for the English language and a desire to preserve its purity and richness.
* Scholarly rigor: He emphasizes the meticulousness and carefulness with which he compiled the dictionary, showcasing his commitment to accuracy and detail.
* Social awareness: He critiques the societal factors that contribute to linguistic decay, such as the influence of fashion and the lack of proper education.
Overall, Johnson's Preface to his Dictionary is a powerful and insightful document that captures the complexities of his personality and his dedication to his monumental task. He writes with a mixture of humility, confidence, and exasperation, offering both a defense of his work and a commentary on the state of language and society in his time.