Studies in Mediæval Life and Literature

"Studies in Mediæval Life and Literature" by Edward T. McLaughlin considers the spirit of the Middle Ages as portrayed in its writings. The book begins with a detailed introduction which sets the scene for the rest of the book. McLaughlin examines the feelings and ideas about existence and writings during mediæval times, as well as the social and cultural changes of that period. The author especially looks at how people's understanding of nature changed. He talks about how, in the past, people saw nature as something just for use, but later, they started to appreciate its beauty, as seen in poems by people such as Petrarch. McLaughlin compares past writings, which were simpler, to later ones that connected with feelings. This comparison introduces a larger argument about how culture grew and changed literary expression. The author presents a thoughtful beginning that challenges the audience to analyze how writings reflect views on nature and personal emotion within the setting of historical social systems.