Let’s be honest! Classics is a long-gone term. You shied away from the term once you finished your schooling. If you have done Math or any other STEM subject, chances are high that you never wanted to raise the subject ever again. Suppose you are into non-STEM, even then there’s some chance you never want to talk about it. Classics is what math is for some among us.
Why are classics considered a spot of bother? There are obvious reasons. Our lifestyle is too packed, hence those long winding sentences brimming with words of yore are a pain. Why trouble ourselves with some awkward literature when there is so much modern-world stuff to read? We need fun-filled stuff to keep ourselves amused. We need to read informative stuff to keep updated in this fast-paced world.
This is exactly why even voracious readers would often shy away from classics. They would often tap on the new arrivals on Amazon and other platforms. On the other hand, we are a bit scared to turn to the classics. If a book is not easy to read that may indicate that we are not good readers. And we do not need that kind of pessimism. What if we swivel that attitude of ours? Good readers challenge themselves with not-so-easy-to-read books. This is where the term ‘classics’ steps in. They are literary works that meet some common high requirements for quality, popularity, longevity, and influence.
Scientifically proven
The more technologically advanced we move, the more we need to be intellectually sophisticated. That’s a no-brainer whether your turf is STEM or otherwise. Everyone knows that reading is good for you. It’s a scientifically proven factor as well. Whether it is screen or physical, reading requires more of your intellectual capacity than other sensory experiences in visual and sound. Visuals and sound are so much more passive than the seemingly passive habit of reading. It is not simply a matter of moving your eye here and there. It involves raking your brain to decode what is already encoded, understand, grasp and live that experience embedded in a corpus of expressions.
It’s not just important that you read–it’s also important what you read. So why read classics, then?
Certain stories resonate across centuries. Just look at the sheer volume of movies retelling Shakespearean plays and other classics. Many popular films are adaptations of classic literature. Pride and Prejudice alone has over 15 cinematic versions, including a Bollywood rendition filled with dance numbers. Other films don’t directly adapt classic literature but adopt familiar frameworks, such as the hero’s journey. Dozens of movies use the tale of the hero as their framework. We’re not just talking superheroes (though they count). Most of us can think back to classic films that have retold this story hundreds of times, but it still works. Take The Truman Show and Groundhog Day, both excellent examples that retell classic tales with a modern spin
Famous authors’ recommendation
The benefits of reading and studying the classics are many. If you have a hobby of reading, I’m sure you’re aware that it is not just enjoyable but also great for your mind and senses! But did you know that many famous writers recommend reading classics? Most contemporary authors who produce contemporary masterpieces are readers of classics themselves.
Reading classic literature is a wonderful way to discover the ephemeral nature of human existence, as well as the literary creations that are crucial for understanding the world in which we live.
Let’s get back to what we were already talking about. I’ll admit that it’s a bit intimidating to pick up a classic novel. What is this thing? Is it going to be difficult to read? But once you get past the first page, there are tons of benefits of reading classics that you are sure to love.
Reading can be a wonderful way to make time for yourself, relax, and de-stress after a long day at work. But when you realise that reading the classics may improve other areas of your life, too? Well, that’s when you know it’s a more-than-good idea. In a study by Michigan State University, researchers were stunned by the areas of the brain that were stimulated simply by reading the classics! The study showed that readers who focus their attention on complex sentences and structures from classic literature engage more areas of their brain than those who read simpler prose.
Blog posts and commercials are short. So are what we get to read on social media and messenger platforms. Most classics are longer and require some times of lengthy focus in order to stay with the plot, thereby forcing your ability to focus your attention to strengthen.
Free Classics available
Is the price putting you off of reading? Classics can offer cheap entertainment and great mental stimulation, which makes it perfect for those of us on a budget. You don’t have to spend a lot to read great literature. There are many reasons why reading the Classics is a great idea. There are plenty of benefits such as enhancing your vocabulary, learning new life lessons, and being exposed to different cultures throughout history. Not only that but in today’s digital world, reading classics can be a good way to unwind without getting lost in our phones! So don’t worry about that party at a full throttle and guests nothing to write home about. Download some Classics, available for free on Kindle, and you’ll have your own device to keep you entertained. You won’t look weirdo just because your eyes are glued to your smartphone. Getting lost in the smartphones, oblivious of the surrounding, is the new norm, and you know it. Isn’t that an ideal opportunity to make time to indulge classics?
Ever been in a conversation and not understood a reference that was made? Maybe you don’t get the play on words, or why someone said something about a certain poem or novel. This is definitely more common than you might think, but once you’ve read the classics you will be well-versed in literature, poetry and other references for life! When you’ve seen literature classics, there’s no need to guess what might be being referenced in your conversation. They are unforgettable for the images and messages they leave with you, but also for all of the literary references that appear throughout. Once you’ve read the classics, there will be no need to smile awkwardly as if you know what’s being said.
You’ll never miss a reference again when you know the Classics. The guests you meet at a party may offer nothing to write home about, but then again you may have something to share the next time you get to meet them.
A study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who read books with characters from different backgrounds can be more empathetic towards diverse others. This makes them better friends, co-workers and family members. If you want to be a better friend, co-worker, or citizen of the world, take a look into someone else’s life—and change yours in the process. It doesn’t matter if there is a man or a woman on the screen, you will find yourself becoming emotionally invested in them and cheering them on. You experience the same emotions that they are going through. We connect with these characters and feel their pain, joy, triumphs and defeats because we have experienced it ourselves in our daily lives.
Reading can make you smarter. Reading the Classics can help delay the onset of cognitive decline, whereas reading anything else does not. Who says that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? The classics are considered a good place to start reading, and they could help preserve your cognitive abilities as well. They offer a safe, unchallenging environment for the brain, which means it can build on its current capabilities.
The classics, because of the depth of character and scene development, force you to think in terms of nuances and “between the lines” that you might not have to do with other forms of writing.
Great! You’re ready to get started! Get lost! (in classics, I mean)
Challenge yourself for 2023 with these long classics
(over 1000 pages)
This list contains only five novels. We have ruled out the obvious classics such as Shakespeare, Cervantes and Homer. You can give them a try too
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
War and Peace is the quintessential long classic book, and rightfully so. This sweeping tale of the Napoleonic War has an astounding cast of characters. The main three protagonists are Pierre Bezukhov, an illegitimate son fighting for legitimacy and his place in the world; Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, the soldier; and Natasha Rostov, the fair maiden who attracts them both. Be warned, if you read it just to say you’ve read it, you probably won’t enjoy it. You have to read it for the work itself.
Les Misérables
Victor Hugo
Les Misérables is one of the most famous stories ever told. Victor Hugo’s tale of Jean Valjean – the peasant convicted for stealing a loaf of bread – will leave you breathless. From the example of the forgiveness of the priest to the unrelenting determination of Inspector Javert, the story has so many outstanding themes to learn from. Be sure to pick up the original book. While it might drag in some spots, overall, the story is simply unforgettable.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Alexandre Dumas
If you haven’t read this amazing classic novel yet, you are truly missing out. Dumas’ epic tale of revenge will keep you entertained throughout. Wrongfully imprisoned for years, Edmond Dantes successfully escapes a brutal French prison and sets out to get the ultimate revenge on all those who have wronged him. The Count of Monte Cristo is not just one of the best long classics but one of the top classics to read in your lifetime.
Bleak House
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens is one of the best classical writers. At the centre of the story is a long-running legal case, Jarndyce v Jarndyce, about a disputed inheritance, in which all the main characters are entangled. Our lovely heroine Esther Summerson becomes the ward of John Jarndyce along with two other distant cousins, Richard Carstone and Ada Clare. With a large cast of characters, all of which will intertwine in the typical Dickensian fashion, Bleak House is a must-read if you don’t mind reading very long classics.
Gone with the Wind
Margaret Mitchell
Possibly one of the most controversial picks, Gone with the Wind is Margaret Mitchell’s idealised look at the South at the time of the civil war. Her extremely flawed heroine Scarlett O’Hara gives you much to contemplate about love and selfishness.