Maya Efrat

Period 2, AP English

January 25, 2017

Classics and Canons of Western Literature

A classic in literature is defined as an exemplary book that has a universal appeal and has

passed the test of time by mattering to multiple generations. When traditional literary scholars

refer to classical literature, they usually mean that this literature is widely acknowledged as

having outstanding or enduring qualities. Often Shakespeares King Lear is considered a classic

of English literature and The Scarlet Letter in American literature. (Wheeler, 1). A canon of

Western literature is the body of books, music, and art that scholars generally accept as the most

important and influential in shaping Western culture.The terms "classic book" and Western canon

are very similar in many ways, but not identical.

There are no set rules for what makes a piece of literature a classic or a part of the

canon of Western literature. In order to have a novel be a classic, it must stand the test of time

and be loved and acclaimed for many years after it is published, it must have a social, political,

or ideological impact on the society during the time period it was published and many years

afterwards, and it must stand out from other books with different and innovative themes and

ideas that take place. To put a book in the Western canon category, it must demonstrate the

thinking and actions of the western civilization, it must be thought to be suitable for admiration

and study, and it must fit a list for the novels that an educated person should know well. There

are many different lists of literary classics and canons, but they all follow the same criteria.
 It is possible for a book to be removed from the list of canons and classics, but it is

mostly up to a persons own opinion and interpretation. Many books that are well known as

classics such as Moby Dick, are thought by some to not fit the requirements of a classic piece of

literature and think that they shouldnt be on the list. Some novels are banned for their racy

language, actions, and unpopular views and opinions in the content of the book so they are not

considered classics or part of the canon by some people. There is no official set list of classics or

canons in literature, so whether a book is removed from the list or stays on is up to the individual

to decide if it fits how they define the standards.

In conclusion, classics and canons must fit a certain set of guidelines that make the novels

stand out and make them exemplary for the time period they were written in and the decades that

follow. These guidelines are interpreted differently by every individual and the books vary on

each person's list of classics and canons. Everyone has a different interpretation of what makes a

classic or a canon and what novels have stood the test of time and will continue doing so for a

very long time.

Works Cited:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/154743-what-is-a-classic-what-is-the-western-canon
https://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/resource_literature.html

http://www.bartleby.com/hc/