What Is Literature?
Literature is a form of verbal self expression that can be understood differently by others because pieces of literature usually have more than one meaning with some meanings deeper than others. These conflicting meanings are all valid as long as ones perspective can be explained. It exists to give individuals alternate ways of self expression and understanding different views. Literature is an aspect of humanity that stimulates, challenges and provokes thoughts.
What Are Classics?
In my opinion, classics are novels that basically live on. They may live on in the heart, in the mind, in the soul or in all the above. Classics cannot be identified by their popularity or how well liked they are but rather by their values and impact on the minds of those who have read and reread them. They usually have deeper meanings and morals which can only be uncovered by rereading them a multitude of times. Their lessons can be related to in one way or another through past experiences in life and other realistic life situations no matter how unrealistic the classic being read is. Conclusively a classic should be memorable for its deeper meaning or conflicting ideas and should linger psychologically and mentally on its readers perspective for some time.
I agree that often classics are memorable, however I believe that there is more to a classic than just that. Calvino did speak about how people begin to create their own list of classics as they go about life reading stories that they find meaningful. Many novels can be meaningful but in order to be a classic I think you have to be able to find something new each time it is reread. Classics do not just linger around one emotion or idea. They touch people in many different ways and that is what readers hold on to. I agree that classics live on and have a deeper meaning, however a classic must present something new to the audience even if they have already read it. This trait distinguishes a classic from any other book.
ReplyDeleteI recommend that you read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. This book was very touching because it showed me a world that is much different from the one I have always known. The novel is about Afghani women and their everyday struggles through life in a culture very different from my own. This novel opened my eyes and helped me to better understand the Muslim culture.
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