The definition of a classic is so much more than mere popularity – whether it’s popularity accumulated at the time of something’s release or after – it is much more than that and the definition of a classic that I will be explaining applies, really, to all forms of medium but we are going to be specifically looking at it in the context of a literary work. A literary classic often gets to be known as such later on after the inception of the work and it is largely because of a number of factors. Ever read Treasure Island? Maybe Frankenstein? These are all considered literary classics and it’s because they were not only excellent stories but they had things that set them apart. Treasure Island told a good old-fashioned swashbuckling adventure with an antagonist who was deep and complex and Frankenstein was, in many ways, an allegory about the anxieties of parents of children with birth defects all told within what some would consider the trappings of early science fiction. What made them classic besides these unique narrative choices were that they were evocative of the times. There was no internet, no car dealerships, no Burger King, no Wal-Mart and no Shop Electricity Rates Texas services.

What makes a classic a classic is the stories novel and unique approach and its ability to immerse you in a world either far removed, in the present, or far beyond.

The struggle to better ones self and to overcome poverty and hardship seem to be the main correlation between the many works. Whether it is Steibeck, Tolstoy or even Vonnegut they deal extensively with the different hardships that life deals us as humans. Their works go into some depth with their different characters and how each of these individuals deal with getting out from under the hardships and trials of life.

These works shows all of us how much we as humans can accomplish as long as we never give up and continue hoping and striving for the best out of our lives. These novels and the many others that were written during this time period remind us of how much we really can accomplish as long as we never give up on ourselves. Working together as a community or a family matters as long as we all strive for the common goal of rising above our circumstances.

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Leo Tolstoy are also among some of the more notable names from the last century of literary works. Unfortunately in some areas many of these works have been banned from public and school libraries for what many believe are explicit or vulgar content.

One such example of this type of banning is J.D. Salinger’s Catcher In The Rye. Many believe that this literary work is too racy for younger audiences. The problem is that when Salinger wrote this piece, it was never intended for teens and pre teens. He wrote it for the more adult audience and the allure and popularity of the work just spilt over to the teen audience.

Gone With The Wind and To Kill a Mockingbird are two other works that have been criticized for their appropriateness for younger readers. Although, once again these works were not written with younger readers in mind. Their target audience was intended to be older, more mature readers.

Classic literature, on the other hand, is literature written outside of Greece and Rome. Classic literature, on a timeline, refers to that literature written before the 20th century. The majority of books written after that are considered to be contemporary novels. Of course, the classic categorization also means that the novel needs to stand the test of time. Nothing less than an insightful and beautifully written masterpiece is deserving of the classic title.