Many have grown up on a healthy diet of literary classics that would keep us engrossed right from the start. From To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee, Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte to Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, these classics would take us through a unique literary experience, a journey that remains unmatched by today’s social media age of curt proses and snappy writing. Classic literature is an expression of beauty in the form of literary art, imaginative prose and language that stands the test of time and transcends eras. Some literary classics are evergreen and continue to touch readers even today, enriching and inspiring them in numerous ways.
With each book we allow ourselves to embrace new perspectives, ideas, and cultures. In this age of fast-turners and short proses, how does investing our time in a timeless literary classic change us for the better?
Here are 5 reasons why you should read classic literature, and how it helps us to become deep thinkers with better perspectives.
Understanding history and culture
Many classics from the yesteryears, which got little or no success when published, are considered invaluable today. These books offer a window through which we, as readers, can experience different cultures and their histories. One can always ask the question, “But we can do so by reading our history books too. Why do we need to read classics?” The simple reason is that these literary classics are not just a retelling of history. They allow us to have a more personal experience, where they show us another way to look at history and offer us an insight into the different aspects of human character.
Enriching your vocabulary
It is common knowledge that reading as a habit helps you improve your vocabulary and your command of the language. But classics have an edge. Their expressions and their word bank is something that sets them apart. The writing style of classics is so enriching that it makes you pause and wonder about what you read.
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