The Timeless Charm Of Classics

By:Sampurna Chakraborty

2nd year, BA (Hons.) English

Design by: Ragini

Unpopular opinion:

"𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲."

As far as classics are concerned, there is a growing trend of abandoning them, ascribing them to being slow-paced with lengthy descriptions, an outdated language, and a lack of cultural relevance in contrast to contemporary writing and narratives. Contrary to popular belief, I think classics are enveloped by an old-world charm and are a symphony of enigma and simplicity.

Today's generation is increasingly influenced by short-form content, e.g., reels and YouTube shorts (especially with the current 1 second reel trend), which has led to a plummeting attention span; accordingly, their reading habits have become restricted to popular “bookstagram” recommendations that are generally limited to smut and other romance genres lacking proper plot lines as well as exhibiting horrendous writing styles. This practice has led to classical literature being sequestered, with young readers displaying insouciance towards this genre these days. It is quite a surprise to me as to how books like the “Twisted series” or “It ends with us” are gaining precedence over legendary books like “Pride and Prejudice," “1984” or “The Odyssey,” etc.

One might argue that the language used by writers of the Romantic and Victorian epochs is difficult to decode, with elaborate, descriptive settings, allusive imagery, and nuanced writing. In my opinion, a large section of readers might not want to spend their time trying to unravel the mystery of the writing and instead engage in fun, simple, and fast-paced content. Even if some have tried to delve into it, it is mostly because of the curriculum of schools and colleges, which has imposed it upon them, and not from the objective of enjoyment. However, if you were to look at it from my lens, classical literature bears the aura of previous generations, trailing behind them the traces they have left in the cultures through which they have passed. In glorifying them, I do not intend to berate modern writers.

There are a plethora of contemporary books and authors whose works have been revered by readers throughout the globe for their revolutionary insights, wonderfully crafted storylines, and for creating characters that resonate with their audience. Nonetheless, classics weave a rich tapestry of timeless themes and the truth of society, molded by an experience of rich craftsmanship. It adds to one's literary and analytical skills, expands vocabulary, and often, the critique that it provides of the real world gives us the capacity to grapple with similar situations.

At the end, all I want to say is that classical literature, for me, is like a balm that soothes the soul. It elevates and illuminates me, just like moonlight on a parched land.