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Shahrukh Shaikh

AP English Literature

Mrs. Pamela Bradley

27 January 2017

What is a Classic?

Throughout the literary realm, countless books are brought into being every single day.

While surveying a library, one will never get to come across every single book on each shelf.

However, in the ocean that the library is, a lone drop stands out among the rest. Classics. The

pure definition of a class is usually perceived as being an older work. In the western canon,

books are added and pulled out of truly being a classic. What exactly defines a classic?

Literature is a volatile subject, and the true criteria behind a classic may remain unknown for

quite some time; however, strides can be made in order to determine general rules that a

perceived classic may follow. All these presumed classics are compiled in a group of texts

known as western canon. Just as how what makes a classic is not certain, the same applies to

what makes up the western canon. In short, classics are a force in literature that drive the

subject to greater heights and merit, leading many to question what truly makes up a classic.

If one were to ask anyone what a classic, he or she would typically would get a rather

derivative response, Dick or Great Expectations. Clearly, these texts are of
the usual Moby

literary merit and classical -- but what makes them this? In the dictionary, classic is typically

defined along the lines of surviving time with merit. In regard to Great Expectations, this work

was published in 1861, nearly 200 years ago! However, to this day, this book is being analyzed

and studied by literary scholars everywhere. Jon Michael Varese, a writer for The Guardian,
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argues that society reads these works because we will find why we are [and] what we are

(Varese). This line of reasoning proves to be very accurate. It can be seen that when one reads,

he or she is pulled into the realm of the literary work and is exposed to not only what society was

like in that time period, but also the author's intent and voice in writing. Novels such as Great

Expectations, have stood the test of the time because they provide a reader with with the direct

answer to the inquiry of how society worked back then. In addition to that, by understanding how

works of literary merit dealt with the broad implications of society, one can develop a greater

understanding of the society in which he or she belongs in. Truly, a classic can be defined as a

work that has stood the test of time and provides an educational scope.

In the modern day, people presume that this new book will be a classic! on numerous

occasions; however, how will a modern text work to earn the title of being a classic? Over

these past few years, works such as The Hunger Games and The Fault in our Stars have grossed

monumental sales figures and produced multi-million dollar movies, but will these books be

considered as classics? Based on the prior speculated definition, it is not possible to foresee the

future of these works. However, in our contemporary canon, books of this nature tend to slip into

later, and can also be seen somewhat with the The Hunger Games. To see
irrelevancy sooner or

if this work will become a classic, it must stand the test of time and not become a volatile piece

of literature. Although it may earn a temporary spot in the western canon, the stance of this work

will only be determined in a number of years.

A canon is typically seen as a collection or general idea of a group of anything, but in

this case, literary works. In literature, the western canon is usually seen as a collection of all the

classic works of literary merit, with the occasional contemporary work. Just as how the criteria
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for determining on whether or not a work will become a classic is hazy, so is the idea of the

western canon. This collection of works seems to have drawn any form of literature, whether it

be American or British, into its grasp that has shown its merit.

Concisely, new literary works are published every single day, leading to more and more

books flooding libraries and book bags; however, only a few of these books will stick out in the

grand scheme of things. These classics are texts that have stood the test of time and will

continue to remain immortal in the literary world.

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Works Cited

"Classics and the Western Canon - General: What Is a Classic; What Is the Western Canon?"

Classics and the Western Canon - General: What Is a Classic; What Is the Western

Canon? (showing 1-50 of 99). Goodreads.com, 9 June 2009. Web. 26 Jan. 2017.

Varese, Jon Michael. "Why Are We Still Reading Dickens?" Books Blog. Guardian News and

Media, 04 Sept. 2009. Web. 26 Jan. 2017.