Classics discussion

Hi, everyone! I am curious: Why do you enjoy reading classics? Do you generally prefer classic literature or modern literature? Does your perception of classic literature impact your perception of modern literature?

Well, I am just going to answer my own question: I enjoy classic literature because it enables me to expand my mind and analyze things critically and sociologically. You can tell that during the times in which classics were written, new ideas were beginning to emerge and difficult problems that were not solved had to be approached. You could actually learn and critique these ideas.

However, my perception of classic literature does help me appreciate modern literature a bit more. Reading classic literature helps me realize the boundaries broken and the changes made im authorship and genre studies. There is DEFINITELY more variety in modern literature than in classic literature, and I absolutely appreciate that. You can tell that required reading considered "classic/traditional literature" can be a bit narrowly skewed; the ideas, words, and themes can be quite similar, and a lot of classic literature is written through the lens of certain eyes.

I remember reading 101 Famous Poems. A lot of the poems would be considered "classic/traditional literature," and while there were some gems in that anthology, there were a lot of recurring themes and linguistic patterns, so it felt difficult to analyze each poem individually when they were all pretty much the same.

You would not be able to see the same variety in classic literature you would see in modern literature. In modern literature, you can read from authors of many different styles, genres, backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge.