Is it Really Worth it to Read the Classics?

Let’s be honest: there’s not much about reading the classics that seems immediately appealing. 

Most of these books are old and out of touch, filled with archaic language and references you can’t really make sense of. Plus, frankly, who wants to put that much effort into what’s supposed to be a leisure experience? 

There are literally billions of books out there that have been published recently which are not only much easier to read, but at first glance are also much more entertaining and relevant. 

So, is there any compelling evidence for us to pick up a classic, or should they all remain a thing of the past? 

The definition of a classic

Let’s start with what we mean when we talk about a classic. 

Cambridge Dictionary defines a classic as something “Having a high quality or standard against which other things are judged.”

Merriam-Webster defines it as “Serving as a standard of excellence: of recognized value.”

Essentially, a classic is a book that has stood the test of time and has come down through generations as a popular and exemplary piece of literature. 

Just the fact that they are still around, that they have withstood all this time– not only surviving but also remaining popular– should earn them some kind of distinguishment.

But aside from the fact that we have been doing it a long time (which, quite frankly, is a terrible reason to be doing anything), is there any evidence to suggest we should still put in all the work to read them today? 

It turns out that there are plenty of compelling reasons. We’re going to look at three benefits of reading the classics: information, literacy, and enjoyment. 

Information

The first (and perhaps the most obvious) reason to read classics is for information. 

These are not just pointless, long-winded stories in musty old volumes; they contain accounts of historical periods and events, as well as presenting a lasting view into human nature and societal commentary. 

Why does this matter today? Even if you’re not that interested in history for its own sake, understanding the past better is essential for understanding current events and the state of the world, and having an informed opinion. 

Many of these books have had an influence in shaping society, or have had a major impact in one way or another; either over their genre, over literature in general, or even the world at large. Reading them can offer insights into various issues and concepts, like a porthole into the past. 

And there are other, more unexpected, benefits; there are studies that suggest people who read classics are better at social interactions: they show improvement in reading people, showing empathy, understanding others, and formulating solid ethics, amongst other things. 

So, reading a classic can have benefits in a variety of areas in your life, and can help you stay informed and educated— despite how out-of-touch they may seem in today’s world. 

Literacy 

Another benefit of reading classics is that they improve your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, and expand your language and literacy skills. 

The way the sentences are masterfully crafted and strung together might at first seem daunting or even incomprehensible, but stick at it long enough and you will come to appreciate their value. 

Absorbing the rich language of a classic can help you better express yourself, as well as make you sound smarter (just make sure you have a grasp of the accurate meaning and pronunciation of a word before you try and use it in conversation, or it may have the opposite effect).

They can also improve your reading taste and discernment; you’ll be able to tell a quality novel from a trashy one just from the first page. Plus, they’ll make you appreciate contemporary media more—after all, these are the works that influenced literature as we know it.

And, there are plenty of references in modern literature, media, and society, that you’ll be able to catch if you read classics, that you wouldn’t be able to if you hadn’t. True, there’s not much of a benefit to this, aside from your own amusement, but really, who needs a better motivator?

So, reading classics can expand and improve your mental capabilities; think of it as a workout for your mind, in the most fun way possible. 

Enjoyment

Last but certainly not least, reading the classics can be just plain fun. 

Once you get past the initial barrier of unfamiliar language and writing style, you’ll find rich stories, quality humor, and complex, entertaining characters waiting for you. As you dive deeper, you’ll realize just why these books have lasted as long as they have and reserved a special space in our hearts and our shelves. 

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as catching the sophisticated humor in a Jane Austen novel, riding the suspense of a Jules Verne adventure, or gaining insights from fascinating minds of centuries past. 

Sure, the first one or two classics you dive into could be hard work, but the more you read, the easier and more enjoyable you will find it. 

Even if the style seems stiff and foreign to you at first, keep at it. The feeling is something similar to wearing in a new pair of shoes; uncomfortable and unfamiliar at first, but soon enough you won’t even be thinking about it.

And you are allowed to dislike some books, too; just because they’re classics doesn’t discount them from your criticisms. Differing opinions are part of what makes the world— literary and general— so interesting.

So, if you want to win more trivia games, do better at school or make more friends, there is compelling evidence for giving the classics a go.

But, now that we’ve covered some arguments for why you should pick up a classic, are there any particular reasons why you shouldn’t?

Controversy

Despite many advocates, there are some who campaign for classics to be removed from our shelves. 

Aside from arguing that the books are no longer relevant, they point out a tendency towards rampant sexism and racism (just to mention two of the most prevalent issues). 

And, the thing is, these people are not wrong; it’s kind of a well-known fact that classics don’t do diversity very well.

It only takes a glance at a curriculum or a classics shelf in a bookstore to see that the predominant author is of the white male variety, with very few women and even fewer people of colour among them. 

Some of these books contain opinions and slurs that are both offensive and confronting or have played a part in perpetuating harmful views for centuries.

Even books that are considered as addressing certain issues have elements that are problematic to the very causes they propose to champion. 

I’m not dismissing these problems— not by a long shot— however, these issues do not discount the value of the books in their entirety. 

The truth is, even if you disagree with something, you can still learn from it. It can make you question exactly why certain things make you angry, and why those things are issues— what makes them inherently wrong. This feeds into the previous point of making you better informed and exercising your mind.  

And remember, also— though this is by no means an excuse— that these novels are all a product of the environment and society in which they were written. 

True, these authors’ ideas may not be particularly enlightened, but we can’t expect everybody who picked up a pen to be decades or centuries ahead of their time in their thinking and attitudes. 

Actually, many of those who wrote these books were ahead of their time at the point when they wrote, challenging the entrenched views in their society in a way that caused widespread shock and outrage— regardless of how archaic, and even offensive, their views may seem today. 

So, while we should keep all of these aspects in mind, we can still draw some value from these books. 

Bragging Rights

Controversial issues aside, there’s only really one other reason I could give you for not reading a classic, and that’s this: 

Don’t read one if the only reason you’re doing it is to get bragging rights or prestige.

It’s not worth the effort— take that from someone who slogged their way through War and Peace when they were fourteen. 

Don’t try and force a classic down your own throat; it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll hate it, and also that you won’t get any of those benefits that we mentioned. Read it because you are interested, because you enjoy it, or because you want to expand your mind. Then, the bragging rights will just be an enjoyable extra. (Just don’t overdo it— remember those people skills we were talking about.)

Conclusion

I think it is fair to conclude that classics are still relevant, and still have value today. 

They have a wide variety of benefits, from making you sound smarter, to improving your friendships, to allowing you to get that joke in the movie you’re watching that nobody else in the room gets. 

So, if you want to broaden your mind, improve your social skills, or just enjoy a really good book that’s intellectually stimulating, there’s no better option than a classic.