This study investigates the literary society Tankebyggare (Thought Builders) and its publications Våra Försök (Our Essays) I-III,1753-56, and Witterhets Arbeten (Works of Polite Literature) I-II, 1759-62.

The first section of the book, 'A Society in Stockholm', deals with the organization of the society, its members and its literary program. The second and larger section, 'From Epigram to Epic', analyzes the authors' approach to the classicist ideals they established in Swedish eighteenth-century literature. By investigating their treatment of conventions and 'rules' it has been possible to reach a closer understanding of the authors' intentions and to estimate the originality of their achievements.