English Literature and Society in the Eighteenth Century

"English Literature and Society in the Eighteenth Century" by Leslie Stephen is a collection of lectures that connects the literature of 18th-century England to the society and politics of the time. The lectures explore how literature, culture, civilization, society, and history are intertwined, showing how literary styles and criticism changed because of the philosophies, governments, and social structures of the era. The author thinks about how qualified he is to give these lectures, but he insists that literature is important because it shows what people thought and felt. To properly appreciate and understand literature, Stephen explains, we need to examine the socio-political environment and philosophies in which authors created their works. He also points out how critics have changed the way they analyze and how that links back to society.