How do you define a classic?
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- Okewunmi Pelumi
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Re: How do you define a classic?
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This is what I said about that:
"I've seen mentions of Harry Potter and the Hunger Games and while I don't dispute that these series have touched many many hearts and have been important pieces of literature in the times we live in, for some reason perhaps the literary elitist in me, has associated classic literature with literary fiction rather than YA genre fiction. So while I understand the sentiment, these don't fit into my understanding of what future generations will look back on and perceive as groundbreaking literature of the early 21st century."
I'm wondering if other people have thoughts on this matter? I seem to have unconsciously classified classics in my head to be "serious" literary fiction, something groundbreaking, or pioneering, or exceedingly high quality from a literary elitist perspective. Of course there are classics that fit into genre fiction e.g. dystopian classics for one, like Brave New World by Aldous Huxley or 1984 by George Orwell. But I think these were extremely high quality, groundbreaking fiction that said something deeper about society and was therefore more pervasive on the literary landscape. Some may argue Harry Potter was groundbreaking in the fantasy genre which I wouldn't disagree with - but in my opinion it lacks that deeper level that I think qualifies a classic "classic".
- Ojochide33
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- Onyinyechi Obi
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1) Timelessness: A book can become a classic because it is timeless and appeals to readers of all nations. Shakespeare is an excellent example of this. His plays continue to remain popular because his characters, even when they are kings or great generals, are still relatable and sympathetic. His stories of love, passion, hatred and intrigues play out repeatedly in real lives even today. J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series also falls in this category. Put simply, magnificent, yet somehow still relatable, characters and stories make a good classic.
2) Evocation of the past: I think nostalgia and curiosity are also driving factors in what makes a book a classic. Some books represent the age, customs, values and culture of the time and place in which they were written so well, that they can transport readers to a completely different world. So, these books satisfy our nostalgia and curiosity about a past that we never got to witness. Jane Austen's novels, apart from having nice plots and characters, tell us a lot about the unique customs that existed in Georgian society.
3) Inventiveness. Some books like those of H G Wells', were amazingly innovative in their storylines and concepts. Edgar Allan Poe is another example of a really innovative writer. Even though many of the concepts introduced by them may seem dated to us now, they were still startlingly ahead of their time when they wrote their great works. That kind of genius is mind-boggling and attention catching. I think the sheer scale of their creativity and imagination are why both these authors will continue to remain popular for centuries to come.
4) Re-readability: Some books are so vast in the scale of their conceptualization, characterization, stories, emotions, themes and symbols, that even if you read them a hundred times, you might still be startled by things you never noticed before. Psychologically-complex novels like Crime and Punishment fall into this category.
These are some of the criteria that I could think of for why some books continue to appeal to countless readers the way they do.
- João Ramos
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I very much agree to your definition.Jaime Lync wrote: ↑08 May 2017, 15:04 I feel that the Classics refer to a list of books that were written a set time ago and are still memorable to date. But is that really what a classic is? How old does a book have to be to be considered a classic? Is a book written in the 1980's not a classic whereas one written in the 1970s is one? Will great books of modern time be considered classics after 20-30 years?
- Princewill Uchenna
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- Onyinyechi Obi
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