Library Notes
Lucinda Epperson
Rowan Public Library

When a student comes to the library reference desk and asks that we suggest a classic for him or her to read, I’m in a panic. It’s so much easier if the teacher has given them a list to choose from, but this is not always the case. I can look in books and on the Internet and get lots of lists, but just the other day I was trying to understand what made these books classics.
There are numerous definitions of a classic but it seems difficult to find a list of criteria that would give a definitive answer. Wouldn't you think that there was a committee of really smart English professors who met and discussed and debated about books and came up with any new titles to be added to this authorative list of classics? Well if there is a group, they meet in secret.
I liked the definition of one English professor who was explaining a course he was teaching: the defining characteristics of classic literature are timelessness, dealing with universal themes and experiences, and communicating across cultures. A good piece of literature that can be enjoyed from generation to generation is timeless. For example, Shakespeare’s works are enjoyed today as much as they were hundreds of years ago. Why? Because of a theme that usually includes an observation about life. Universal themes add to the timelessness of a piece because they relate to us all, such as: loves conquers all; good vs. evil; rags to riches. Literature is an excellent vehicle for communicating ideas across cultures as we read and learn much about how others view life.
There seem to be many more definitions of “classic literature.” Several other characteristics were mentioned frequently in the research. One is the number of years the book has been in publication; “60” seems to be a magic number. Another big consideration is the number of times that teachers assign these “classics,” resulting in many printings, which result in folks reading them, which lead to teachers assigning them, etc.
For your consideration, here is a list of titles that seem to be on most of the lists of “classics.” Whether you’re encountering them for the first time, or want to revisit old friends, come to Rowan Public Library to check them out.
Jane Eyre -Charlotte Bronte, 1847: Jane’s ill-fated love for the brooding Mr. Rochester endures in this story of a strong-willed heroine who refuses to compromise herself. The Red Badge of Courage -Stephen Crane, 1895: Through the eyes of Henry Fleming, a young Civil War soldier, we see the fears of battle and the inexplicable courage that comes when soldiers unite in a wartime machine. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn –Mark Twain, 1884: Huck’s adventures on the Mississippi River with the runaway slave Jim abound with truths about honor and justice. 1984- George Orwell, 1949 Big Brother and the Thought Police control all in a darkly imaginative future.