“I succeeded in discovering the cause of generation and life; nay, more, I became capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter.” (Shelley, 1818) I find this quote an inspiration that aligns with why we should be reading classic books. This famous line from Frankenstein, a classic by Mary Shelley, is often analyzed in Concord Academy’s 9th-grade English and has a central role in understanding the narrative. In the context of the story, Victor, the human protagonist, implies his abilities are equal to those of nature, while this quote concurrently applies to the root of why we study English.
From almost every single period in human history, we have discovered pieces of art that collectively reveal the timeline of human creation and culture. Often the only things that remain from an epoch are artifacts, such as literature. Although Victor is not referring to the preservation of literature, the “animation” he refers to can be interpreted as learning in a different context. Reading classical literature, especially within an education system, leads us to appreciate olden culture while at the same time guiding us to understand our own modern-day culture better.
All the books we deem classic indicate what life was like during its publication. Students can absorb more information by reading classics and broadening their knowledge, gaining an understanding of what ‘daily life’ can be like. Even fictional books, like those involving fantastical creatures, have strings of history weaved through their pages. Frankenstein, for example, portrays the dangers of industrialization and the roles expected of women during its publication. Mary Shelley wrote in the 19th century when the majority of writers in England were male. Though there was an increase in established female authors during this time, the numbers were still in the low hundreds, and female writers were often published under pseudonyms that hid their gender identities. There are examples of Mary Shelley subtly introducing feminist ideologies in her books, though from our perspective today, they may appear more obvious. Classics are essential ledgers of historical life and culture.
What designates a book as a classic is its ability to remain relevant even centuries later. In The Odyssey, once one has perused the Ancient Greek stories and understood the mythology, we can relate to the blatant values of the Ancient Greeks. Xenia, a Greek word meaning hospitality, is seen as such an important trait that, if not respected, one can elicit punishment from the gods. We can resonate with this concept today, if not to the same extent. Everyday manners range from casual pleasantries, like asking someone how their day is, to sending a gift basket to new neighbors. Politeness is a timeless standard cherished across history, inviting readers of The Odyssey to reflect on how xenia is incorporated into their lives. This is how we as a human race have demonstrated “discovering the cause of generation and life”—the desire to be remembered in everything we create. Classics should be revered and taught because they implore us to know beyond what we experience by highlighting parallels between the past and the modern world.