An Essay on the Study of Literature

Edward Gibbon's An Essay on the Study of Literature (1761) explores the nature and value of literary study. Gibbon, known for his monumental The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, argues that literature is not merely informative but possesses artistic merit. He suggests that literary criticism, when done well, can be as engaging as literature itself, and that critics often reveal themselves through their analyses. Gibbon emphasizes the importance of a well-stocked mind and native wit in literary appreciation, rather than just rote technique. The essay reflects his broader view that literature contributes to a civilized understanding of the world.12345