“A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.” – 20th-century essayist Italo Calvino, The Uses of Literature.
Classical literature is a very broad category, but is generally referred to as literature that has survived its time. In other words, people continued to read these books generations after they were written. Classics are the type of books that can be read over and over again and speak to you differently each time. Additionally, they tend to be well-written and contain deep themes. Even if they aren’t about real people or events, classic literature can show us how society was structured and the way people thought. It’s interesting seeing the similarities and differences between life now compared to the past. Classics also tend to be universal in their messages, as there’s a reason they survived their time. There is usually something about them, whether that be the characters, plot, themes, or all of the above, that makes the classics stand out.
There are many classics, but here are some of my favorites.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This is definitely on my list of all-time favorite books. It follows the relationship between the witty and intelligent Elizabeth Bennet and the proud and reserved Fitzwilliam Darcy. While social class, reputation, and their families played a role in keeping them apart, it was ultimately, Lizzy and Mr. Darcy who did so. Lizzy’s prejudice and Mr. Darcy’s pride had to be overcome for them to be together. Pride and Prejudice takes you back to high society 19th-century England and makes you want to stay there. One of my favorite parts of the book is how entertaining the characters are. Their conversations are a lot of fun to read: they are passionate, amusing, and very elegant. Jane Austen has a wonderful writing style, and this beauty is seen clearly in Pride and Prejudice. This is a must-read classic.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
This is a very charming story that is worth reading. It follows each of the four March sisters as they grow up in late 19th-century New England. The story spans about ten years and shows the sisters’ transition out of childhood and into adulthood. They each have unique passions and face hardships while trying to find happiness and success in their own way. This story explores themes like love, personal growth, family, and feminism. While each of the girls have their own problems, they take care of each other during this rocky period of their lives. You can see each of the girls growing both individually and collectively. The characters are developed really well, and their growth is clear. They are very relatable and fun to be around. I would definitely recommend reading it.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
I recently read this, and really enjoyed it. It is told from the perspective of the housekeeper of Wuthering Heights estate as she describes the intense and passionate love story between Catherine and Heathcliff that spans decades. It begins when they are introduced to each other as children and the trouble they get into, then transitions to their disturbing lives as adults, and then to the lives of their children. It is a captivating story that left me always wanting to see what happened next. Like the other books, the characters were fascinating because of their wild and crazy personalities. One of the themes that the book explores is love being so powerful that it goes beyond death, which, when paired with the insanity of their relationship, makes it one of those books that you can’t put down. I would absolutely recommend it.
This is just a brief taste of the wonders of classical literature. Classical literature opens a world of new possibilities to read, and it has something for everyone. It’s definitely worth the time you put into it. So, why not give it a try?
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