The Modern Study of Literature: An Introduction to Literary Theory and Interpretation (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Modern Study of Literature: An Introduction to Literary Theory and Interpretation

I have gone into these details in order to make clear the design and use of the book which follows. An eminent teacher of literature was accustomed to impress upon his students that a general principle is as gas in the mouth of him that knows not the particulars. This touches what is the perpetual problem for the art of exposition - the question exactly how far to go in discussion of individual literary works, which have an interest of their own, in offering these as elucidation of literary theory. It would be possible to write a work which would be wholly theoretic; but this would not only make a dull book, it would further be a sin against the foundation principle that our first duty to literature is to love it. On the other hand, if in so large a field one surrenders freely to disquisition on literary master pieces, the connected thread oi philosophical theory is lost in the particulars. For philosophy is only a fine word for seeing things in their true perspective. The natural solution seems to be the plan here adopted: a single work devoted to literary theory, discussion of particular works being reduced to what is essential, supplemented by other works in which special portions of literature are followed out in detail. In the foot notes to this book I make references to other works of mine by which study of particular points can be carried farther. Very occasionally I have incorporated in this work tabular or other matter from my other books; for, while it may seem question able taste for an author to quote from himself, yet it seems a pity to seek out a second best illustration when a better is available.

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