Classical literature has long been an integral part of English curriculum but many students, such as Senior Austin Lehman, just can’t relate to older texts when they are taught in English classes. “I like modern [books] far more,” says Lehman. Some teachers, however, think differently.
Classical literature, such as Shakespeare and the Romance authors, has long been considered by educators to be important for teaching their pupils the English language. Diane Bradley-Lewis, an English teacher at South, says “The kids need that kind of exposure to take the SAT and the ACT.” Bradley-Lewis points out that the ability to read and interpret traditional texts will be essential for not only these critical college tests, but AP tests as well.
Many students, like Lehman and Junior Gabe Bethke, are frustrated by the out of date language and rigid format that these novels exhibit in addition to their more traditional values. While some might contend that novels like War & Peace have more educational value, “I think,” says Bethke, “[that] that’s definitely not true.” Bethke believes that neither classical or modern literature is more or less valuable, but contends that “If you focus on one style you lose different frames of reference.”
The biggest issue most students have with stories like The Yellow Wallpaper is a lack of relatability. Kate Bussert, a junior, understands, which is why she thinks teachers should teach a mix of these and draw connections. “People have a hard time identifying with it because it’s so old,” Bussert says. Emerson Hunton, also a junior, thinks that teachers are the most important part of students’ ability to sympathize with the novels. Emerson postulates that “it depends on the teachers…if they can relate classics and make it relevant to the students, [the students] will learn the material better.”
Another reason that schools teach classical literature is because of a lack of supplies. Bradley-Lewis says that “this is whats available in the book room in most districts.” To teach a class a novel you need thirty or sometimes more copies and books cost money, something many public schools are critically short on.
Not all students prefer modern literature, some of them even relate better to the books of yore. Senior Devin Freed much prefers classical literature, although he said he doesn’t dislike more modern books. The way Freed sees it: “They’ve been assigned the title ‘classics’…they obviously have some important cultural value to them.” He thinks that reading these books stimulates the reader more, and forces them to think critically. Freed feels that “reading classical literature can definitely expand your repertoire.”
Right now most standard literature classes teach a mix of the classics and modern literature, and that doesn’t look like its going to change any time soon. Bethke thinks that is a good thing, according to him “the implementation of both will give a good range.” A lot of students think that diversity of the novels they read is a good thing. Bradley-Lewis thinks so too, “a good story is a good story, that’s the bottom line.”
