Tuesday

What is Classic literature?

According to Dictionary.com, the definition of the adjective classic is "an author or literary work of the first rank, especially one of "demonstrably enduring quality."

Everyone likes different books and styles. So, if we all have different senses and sensibilities, then what makes classic literature "classic"? What makes it a work of the first rank – with a kind of quality that is "demonstrably enduring"?

One of the most important things to remember is that "classic" does not necessarily translate to "favorite" or "bestselling". Literature is instead considered classic when it has stood the test of time; and it stands the test of time when the artistic quality it expresses – be it an expression of life, truth, beauty, or anything about the universal human condition – continues to be relevant, and continues to inspire emotional responses, no matter the period in which the work was written.


Why read classic literature?

Classic literature is important because it tells us about the beliefs, legends and culture of our ancestors. Through classic literature we get a look at the lives of human beings from our distant past. This shows us that they were not different in their deepest feelings from modern man.
Understanding the past does, we hope, prevent us from repeating the mistakes of our predecessors but, more than that, it helps us appreciate how attitudes have changed over time. This, in turn, promotes a deeper understanding of why we are who we are today.

Classic literature reflects the society at that time and often pushes the boundaries of what was accepted at that time. 

The literature of one time period is often written as a reaction to the literature (or the society) in the previous period.



Is Classic literature still relevant today?


 



Your task:

During the following three lessons you are going to get familiar with a few classic writers and their work of literature.

1.
Your first task is to have a look at the picture above of the different literary movements and time periods. You should also read the compendium about the different time periods, starting with "The Renaissance". This will give you a background to the history of literature.

2. Read all the extracts from the various writers. Also read the introduction to the writer before the texts. You will find this in the second compendium.

3. In groups of 2-3 (you decide groups), discuss and write down answers to "Understanding story/poem". You will find these questions in the third compendium. You also have wordlists included to the different texts (will make it easier to understand old English). You should also discuss the questions under "discusssion" to each text. (you don't have to write the answers to "discussion")

Also, for every text I want you to write down what in the text is typical for the literary time period in which it was written.


In short:

Discuss the questions under "Understanding the story/poem" + "Discussion" in compendium three. One member of the group writes down your answers to "understanding the story". 

Finally, try together to answer the question: is classic literature still relevant today? If yes, in what way? Could you give examples?  

When you have written down your answers, send your text to V-klass. (directly to the course "Engelska 6". Name your document: "Literature: Samuel/Pontus" (YOUR own names!)