| − | Ind. 63: 570. S. 5, ’07. 200w. |
“A rather extraordinary literary performance, very uneven in character. Altho there is a certain richness of historic background and a vividness of characterization, the defects of the piece are glaring.”
| + − | Lit. D. 35: 62. Jl. 13, ’07. 140w. |
“If much of the verse is simply fluent prose cut into lengths, if there are many crude and not a few broken, halt, or utterly commonplace lines, there are occasional passages of uncommon descriptive power, full of pretty imagery and verbal eloquence, and some that thrill with ardor, scorn, or vigorous passion.”
| − + | Nation. 84: 460. My. 10, ’07. 850w. |
“Readers of her other work will not be disappointed, for in the ‘Goddess of reason’ she gives full play to her power over romantic situations, poetical backgrounds, and sentiment.”
| + | N. Y. Times. 12: 382. Je. 15, ’07. 100w. |
“As romantic as her stories and as interesting. As a drama ‘The goddess of reason’ is probably too complex for successful presentation. It is lyrical rather than dramatic; but as a piece of writing, both in construction and diction, it will advance Miss Johnston’s reputation.”
| + − | Outlook. 86: 453. Je. 29, ’07. 230w. |
“The verse is very dainty and musical, though Miss Johnston takes strange liberties with metre, and the final tragedy is finely conceived and executed. Our one criticism would be that her talent is a little too delicate to reproduce the rude horrors of the revolution.”