"The life of a literary work depends on readers whose existence it confirms or (the valuable possibility) augments," writes Monroe Engel. The essays collected here concern the related thesis that "the vitality of the literary enterprise is related to its usability, its capacity to strengthen or alter our options." The first group of essays is theoretical--discussion of habit, originality, religious perspectives, and self-evaluation. The second group approaches specific issues and authors within the American context. The collection concludes with five essays on teaching literature to students whose previous literary exposure has been limited.