Expectations Regarding Literary Masterpieces
ENG/106
March 31, 2014

Expectations Regarding Literary Masterpieces Coming in to a new class can be a daunting experience, especially when one does not know what to expect. It can also be an exciting experience, especially when one has a special fondness for the subject being taught. As a psychology major, ENG/106 is not a required class. As a bibliophile, there was no question that I would use the need to fulfill an elective requirement as a reasonable excuse to take this class. There are many preconceived notions around the study of literary masterpieces, and some people have a hard time pushing past the bitter memories of stuffy high school English teachers and 30 page book reports on Crime and Punishment to be worked on over summer vacation. I am lucky enough to have had a wonderful experience with the classics, and my expectations for ENG/106 come from a place of fondness, respect, and genuine awe. With that being said, there is more to understanding literary masterpieces than simply enjoying a good read; one should also recognize the preconceived notions that often come with the subject, as well as have an understanding of why literary masterpieces are important and how they influence modern society. My Experiences and Expectations My experience with literary masterpieces began at age seven when I first read Charlotte’s Web. While that may not be considered a literary masterpiece, it did open my eyes to many amazing elements of literature. Firstly, I was struck by how powerfully I felt for the characters, and how easily I was drawn into their stories to the point in which I laughed when they laughed, worried when they worried, and wept when they wept. This paper thing had drawn emotion from me. A person wrote this story long before I was born, about a time period in which I never lived, and shared with me a story. I found the power of it all very overwhelming. Once I was in high school, my horizons were broadened to include many literary masterpieces thanks to a very boisterous and entertaining English teacher. We read classics such as The Iliad and The Odyssey, Paradise Lost, The Canterbury Tales, The Metamorphosis, Faust, and Hamlet. Not to say that each experience was outstanding (I cannot say I have a great fondness for Beowulf), but so many of them were outstanding that it spurred me on to do more reading outside of the classroom setting. I knew that literary masterpieces could be romantic, humorous, frightening, or sad. I knew they had the power to transport me to the past, to the future, to other countries, or to other worlds. To me, they meant opportunity. The Importance of Literary Masterpieces It is my belief that many of the people who have the preconception of literary masterpieces as being either a dull or even painful read think so because they do not think they will be able to relate to something that was written hundreds or even thousands of years before they graced this planet. I think that one of the most important roles that literary masterpieces play is that of a figurative Einstein-Rosen bridge; they can transport us back in time in order to give us a glimpse not only into the minds of the authors, but into the traditions, cultural norms, and mindsets of the times and places in which the stories were first penned. The Odyssey, for example, offers insight into the religious, political, and socio-economic norms of Homer’s Greece. Charles Dickens was also able to illustrate and exceptionally accurate portrayal of late 18th century England and France in A Tale of Two Cities, which was written less than 80 years after the events of the French Revolution. The Influence of Literary Masterpieces in Modern Society It is easy to see that literary masterpieces have continued to have an influence on modern society, especially as it relates to the arts. Artists throughout the years have been inspired to create everything from paintings and sculptures to pottery and jewelry based on literary masterpieces. Stories have been made into stage productions of all kinds including plays, musicals, and operas. They have been adapted into movies, television shows, and animated films. They have inspired musical pieces ranging from composed symphonies to rock-and-roll anthems. Most importantly, they have served as the basis for which many a contemporary writer strives to be compared. Conclusion With such a wealth of knowledge at the fingertips of modern society, it can easily be forgotten that most literary masterpieces serve not only to entertain their readers, but to teach as well. Windows into the past, classic literary masterpieces contain perspective, knowledge, and insight caught between the pages of each book. Recognizing the influence these masterpieces have always had on contemporary society is easy if one simply looks for common themes, character archetypes, and storylines that human beings seem to repeatedly gravitate toward.