Hi everyone. A few days ago I came across a post on bookstagram by
@awaywiththefairytales in which she (Mika) discussed classics. She asked some interesting questions and the conversation I eventually had with her inspired me to write this post. It inspired me so much and I have so much to
say about this topic that I am planning on making this a
'monsterblog': a long and extensive blog post about a topic. To make things easier for you, I added shortcuts so you can skip to the part you're most interested in. But if you want to read it all (which I would really appreciate) go ahead. Please know that the things said here are not facts,
just my personal opinion.
Topics discussed in this post:
1. Why do we call certain novels classics?
When you start looking for a definition or criteria of a classic on Google, it becomes clear that defining a classic is a bit of a grey area. Wikipedia says that a classic should be exemplary and have the ability to be reinterpreted. The term classic is also linked to the Western Canon, a canon is a list of books that are considered essential. Keep in mind that there are many different canons all containing other books. For example, for university I had to buy the Norton Anthologies, these are canons with the important books from different ages.
Many people seem to have their own opinions on why we call certain books classics and others not, and why we should read them. Some seem to say that defining a classic is personal. It seems that there is not one specific rule book of defining a classic.
So then why are some books classics but others not?
An important factor in defining classics seems to be age, older books that are still talked of and read today are often considered classics. However, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is also defined as a classic but it is not that old, and example that exceptions can be made. Nowadays people also seem to have come up with a new genre: Modern Classics. But, overall the age of novels plays a big factor to see if they are still exemplary and important after that much time. Also because those books can give us, the modern readers, insight into their worldview. Besides, they recorded our history in books, with details that otherwise could have been lost were it not for them.
As I mentioned before, the novel should be of good quality, however, this is very subjective. Also, in the time it was written a book could be extremely revolutionary while in the modern age it is outdated. Can we still consider this book as a classic and of good quality? But I will get to that later. Besides being of good quality, classics should affect the world around them. Classics need to have an impact on culture or because they make a contribution to the world. If a novel is popular among readers this is also an indication of being a classic. Especially if books are adapted, this indicates that it has a great significance on society.
All of these reasons are critiques that should be considered when defining a book as a classic, yet as I've shown before exceptions are made and an entirely new genre of Modern Classics has made an appearance. However, the fact that considering a book as a classic is subjective is important to keep in mind. Even though some books are seen as classics by almost everyone in our society, think of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Because we are all have grown up with this being a 'classic' not many people challenge this idea. Now, it is not that I think it isn't a classic. What I am trying to say is that some books are a classic for so long now it is not being questioned much anymore. Which is why some books that are considered as 'classics' do not impact our society that much (anymore) because they have aged.
2. Classics in academic canons and environments.
Nowadays we mostly read classics in academic environments or because of personal interest. Especially older novels are not read that often anymore, even though the story might be well known. Think of Frankenstein or Dracula. These classics have created a statement in our society, even though I am sure that most people have not read the books.
As many of you know, I study English Language and Culture, I am now in my second year and specializing in English literature. Even though I have a lot of professors that try to let us read different types of literature and classics, it often comes back to pieces being written by white males. Even our anthologies and canons contain more white, male authors. In the more recent years, the canon has become more inclusive, yet there is still a difference.
I consider myself lucky that in my first year I had a professor that is interested in American Literature, mostly modernism and especially female authors. In her course, I read books of black authors and female authors and that was very refreshing. Besides, as a woman I find it inspiring to see other women created such masterpieces, like To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. It is so important for well... everyone actually, to have an idea of different works in literature and not just be dependent on the things written by white men. As a Dutch girl, I think it is so important to read literature from all over the world, to expand your worldview and get to know different cultures and histories.
It is obvious that the people that studied a certain author, of course, want you to read works of them. For example, I am now following a course that talks about Shakespeare. The professors that teach me and both very enthusiastic of Shakespeare's works, and I get that, it is their lives' works. However, I hope that especially for literature students in whatever language, do read a broad variety of books, from different cultures in different genres.
I am mostly interested in the fantasy genre, I have been for many years now. But, fantasy, like other genres, are not often talked of in academic environments. It all seems to focus on poetry and fiction. Classics often seem to be just fiction novels but I think that this should be expanded to different genres. For example, I think that J.R.R Tolkien's books are classics in the fantasy genre. I want to see more people talk about these books in academic environments and canons (even though Tolkien was a white male, he is still so important for the fantasy genre).
Mika for @awaywiththefairytales also made the point that classics seem untouchable in the academic world, and I agree with that. I understand that these professors want you to like these books but I wish that there is more freedom to say that you didn't like it and of course explain why.
3. Are classics superior to other (more modern) novels)
That leads me to the next point. Often, I find that classics are treated as much 'better' books than novels written nowadays. Or better than entire genres. I think that in no way, shape or form one book should be lifted above the other. Especially because they are both written by a person that (probably/hopefully) but a lot on work into it.
Some books are considered classics, because of their impact on society, their age, etc. But because one book has this effect but the other is just written to entertain their readers does this mean the first is better? I think not. All books are different just as all people are different. This doesn't mean that one is better than the other.
Like I said in the last paragraph, in the academic environment classics do seem to have this sense of untouchability. However, I am glad to say that in some courses I follow we read newer books, books that haven't been defined as classics (yet). However, it still often feels as if some works (of Shakespeare for example) as lifted onto a pedestal, and saying something negative about it is not allowed. This creates a weird feeling for me as a student, it feels as if I am supposed to like something despite my own opinion. This is something that I feel like still needs to change. Despite the enthusiasm of professors, we should look at works from a professional perspective, I think that this is even a better way of learning and being critical. Because if you didn't like it, you should be able to say why and analyse this.
To me, classics are not special or more important than other books. I see classics as a genre that includes older books, books that have had or still have an impact on society. With a subgenre of modern classics, books with this effect however written in our current generation. I find it interesting to look at the historical features of classics, how did the writing of books develop, what did their world look like then, etc. For this reason, I read classics, besides the fact that some books are just good. But do I find them more fun to read than some fantasy books? No, definitely not but I read those for a different reason.
4. Shortcomings in the 'classics' genre.
In all these paragraphs some flaws of classics have been highlighted already, so I will keep this bit brief. First off, it only includes older books. Second, classics that are included in western canons are mostly written by white men, however, this is changing (slowly).
Then I like to get into the fact that many classics are old and written in different worlds. To make this clear, we are now living in a time where we are conscious of equality, we have different views of the world, we have lived through and seen different things. That makes many classics very outdated, and so often they contain statements and views that are outdated, not relevant and maybe even racist or discriminatory. These books can still be read in a historical view, to see how things have changed etc. But people shouldn't take over these statements. This makes me question why some books (like that) are still considered classics.
The western canon as the name suggests focusses on western novels that are fit for academic environments. Canons often suggest that scholars should read the books they include for their studies. However, like I said before I find it very important to expand the books you read, as a scholar you shouldn't just be reading western books. But also look at other cultures and learn from those. There are just so many things that could be improved in studies and should be. I am happy that most of my professors are not that outdated and I am excited that next year I will probably be following a course that discusses Tolkien!
Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this post, even if you've read only a short bit of it. I had such a fun time putting this post together and I am sure that I have probably forgotten some points I wanted to make. My goal was to make you think about this topic yourself and I hope that I have achieved this. Please share your own opinion, I would love to hear it. For the last time, thanks to Mika for inspiring me to write this post. Maybe in the future, I write a part two to share all the points I missed here. Have a nice day everyone!
Keep reading,
Julia
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