The Importance Of Classical Literature

There needs to be meaning behind the author’s texts to be considered a classic. Literature that does not have any significance will not profit students, but will only waste crucial time. Therefore, english classrooms need to provide students classics that contain information that pertains to current society. This will positively effect many students, for example, it will expand crucial thinking and provide diversity within the classroom. “In other words, the current criteria for classics are more a matter of sociology than of aesthetics” (3).

Literature is not only important to society, but is very important for each individual to read and understand. Literature can provide a way for people to learn more about what happened in the past and can even be a way for people to reduce stress in their lives. There are many different types of literature and each of them can be used for different reasons. You can use books to study specific topics, to relive the past, and to express yourself through writing. Literature can be written about the past, the future and even about present day society. Even if the book or novel is fiction, it still has some sort of theme that resembles a real world experience or problem. We need literature in our lives to help us develop and improve, not only as individuals, but as a society and to learn about the past.

There are a numerous amount of books that have been placed on the “classic” book list. Classical literature is generally associated with well-known novels, however, it is frequently a book that marks a turning point in history. Warriors Don’t Cry, written in the 1990’s, by Melba Pattillo Beals is scrutinized as a “classic” book because it incorporates morals and educational uses.

In this day in age, classics range from movies such as Titanic, to books such as Moby Dick, or even television shows such as I Love Lucy. But what does that mean? What even makes something “classic”? The definition of classic includes descriptions like “traditional”, “enduring quality”, “literary work of the first rank”. So what makes these works of art timeless or classic? Herman Melville, a classic author himself, stated that “To produce a mighty book you must choose a mighty theme.” Theme, in literature, is the main idea or underlying message of the book. The reason why theme is, in my opinion, the quality that makes a story classic is because it reaches the reader intellectually and emotionally. Good themes, more often than not, churn

Throughout high school students have to read novels that are American Classic, but what even makes a book be considered a classic? A classic is when a novel is relatable throughout decades of being made and it makes the reader intrigued.

1. There are numerous reasons about why Miss Narwin’s opinion of reading books differs from Philip’s opinion. The first reason is that Miss Narwin is a mature adult, who can understand literature better than children. Miss Narwin also has a love for classic literature, which not everyone shares. The second reason is that Philip would enjoy books that were written when he was growing up; it would be easier to understand and relate to for him. I concur with Miss Narwin’s point of view, as I love to read and some older books have a deeper meaning to them. I also agree with Miss Narwin, for I believe that more classic literature should be spread, so that classics won’t be forgotten. Philip’s attitude might be considered a self-fulfilling prophecy since most children would not have such a deep love towards classic literature. Children also appreciate books that they can understand and relate to.

Why read Shakespeare? This is the question that English professor Michael Mack sought to answer in a speech given to new Freshmen at the Catholic University of America in September of 2008. Shakespeare’s writings have shown the world a way to understand ourselves, our emotions. Shakespeare’s writings also show us a moral or theme to follow. Macbeth’s character trait of reasoning shows us that even reasoning doesn’t always lead us to a good thing.

“A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say” -Italo Calvino. According to (dictionary.com) a classic is a book that is “something noteworthy of its kind and worth remembering”. There is multiple definitions of what a classic is but all of them say that the book still needs to be remembered for a long time after being finished. The book, 1984 by George Orwell is a classic book when analyzing the symbolism and figurative language used throughout the book.

Though many people nowadays disregard the usefulness of literature in modern society I belong to the opposite sect of folk. Reading and literature is more than just words and writeing, its ways for the dead to speak and advise those to come through understanding of common feelings. Whether the author meant to mean something through metaphor or more literally is not important, what is important is that us as the readers are able to communicate and interpret needed information from the subject and author. Something that I sometimes think is lacking in todays society is not just this communictation but understanding. Furthermore reading it gives us a way to understand and invest in lives other than ourselves. Secondly reading and understanding what we read allows us to feel empathetic towards the subject thus allowing us to share our own story of feeling and ideas. This is

Literature is used in writings to comment on moral, ethical, and political issues of their time. However some of those issues can still be seen today in modern time. Authors like Shakespeare and Shelley use literature elements to make social commentaries on significant issues like peer pressure, child abandonment, and loneliness.

“A Classic is a book that doesn’t have to be written again.” – W. E. B. Du Bois

We see classical literature influences in our modern life. It could be a TV show which is based on literature or it could be movie/music. Pop culture is the simplest way to introduce classical literature. Most of the people rather like to watch movie or TV show than to read a book. Taylor swift’s song Love story is based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The Classic work of Shakespeare has been adapted to television since the early hours of cinema. The movie West side story was released in early 1960’s which was based on Romeo and Juliet (Whitney). Many children’s favorite animated and most popular movie The Lion King is influenced by Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet.

Classic literature is something that is seen as a work of art, a piece that is valued and a text of highest quality. They are outstanding and recognised for years, centuries and decades as they resonate through time. These books or texts are influential and hold importance throughout times. These texts should be taught in the school curricula as the views that are represented are similar to those that are important in todays society, therefore they should be an important part within with school curricula. One classic text, ‘The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn’, written by Mark Twain in 1884 and one classic movie, ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’, produced by Blake Edwards in 1961 are great examples of Classic literature that have similar themes and views as those that we face today. Their relevance keeps these books seeming new and fresh as the audience connects to their characters and their idealisations.

In the minds of many, if a book is widely read in the public education system it’s a classic. But it takes more than mandatory reading for a book to be a classic. A classic must have moments of difficulty where right and wrong aren’t clearly defined, thus the reader is forced to make a decision on what constitutes as morality. When a book contains such moments it forces the reader to think deeply. We want a book that can be analyzed many times, each time revealing new insights for the reader. Yet, this cannot be achieved unless the book is relevant and relatable not just for the generation for which it was written but many generations afterwards. When reader is analyzing relatable and relevant text, it cannot be dismissed as just another book

A quote from The Secret Life Of Bees that I feel explains what makes a classic is, ¨ That was when the dealer lifted the flashlight over his head, then down, smashing it into Rosaleen´s forehead. She dropped to her knees. I don't remember screaming, but the next thing I knew, Mr. Gaston had his hand clamped over my mouth...¨ (page 35) This quote from The Secret Life Of Bees helps readers connect to the book. Rosaleen is a free african american woman. She was arrested for standing up to those who were being rude to her. This passage connects readers to the society and history of the 1960´s and to the emotions of Lily, who is the main character. The Secret Life Of Bees has many writings that others can connect to. For example, ¨Every person on the face of the earth makes mistakes, Lily. Every last one. We're all so human. Your mother made a terrible mistake, but she tried to fix it.¨ Most individuals- including myself- probably felt emotion while reading this. In classics, being able to connect to the book in necessary- the passage above helps people connect to the novel. Italo Calvino says, ¨ The classics are books which exercise a