The Substance of Literature is an essay written by Louis Pope Gratacap in 1913. The book primarily focuses on the influence of the subject matter of sin, ignorance, and misery in literature. Gratacap explores how these themes have been used by writers throughout history to create compelling and powerful works of literature. He argues that these themes are not only important for creating great literature but also for understanding the human condition. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of various literary works that deal with these themes, including works by Shakespeare, Milton, and Dante. Gratacap also discusses the role of the writer in society and how literature can be used to bring about social change. Overall, The Substance of Literature is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the power of literature to reflect and shape our understanding of the world.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.