Studies and Essays: Concerning Letters

"Studies and Essays: Concerning Letters" by John Galsworthy is a compilation of essays and thoughts from the early 1900s that explores different parts of writing, plays, and what authors do. The book looks at how moral ideas and beliefs are woven into creative work. Galsworthy thinks deeply about the details of making literature and how society sees art. One important essay tells the story of an old man with a lantern that represents how artists light up the truth for everyone, even if the truth is hard to accept. Other writings criticize the theater of the time and push for truer stories about life. Overall, Galsworthy asks readers to consider what literature is for and what artists owe to the people who read or watch their work.