It can - and has been - argued that studying classic texts is irrelevant and and even pointless for today’s students. The themes, language, and characters are archaic and bear no resemblance to the fast-paced, constantly evolving society we live in.
The Importance of Studying Classic British texts
October 4, 2023by atadmin
However, I think this belief is wrong. We learn so much from classic texts and, for international students in particular, it is an enlightening glimpse into the history of the country helping them to understand how the U.K. was shaped.
The argument that classic texts are difficult for today’s students to relate to is inaccurate. Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is about societal pressure on women to conform and get married – is this not the basis for many a reality TV show? People have said that if Charles Dickens was alive today, he would be writing scripts for soap operas as he focused on the hardships of everyday people. Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved fictional detective Sherlock Holmes has been resurrected numerous times and inspired countless TV shows, films and books. If these examples are not testament to the relevance of classic literature then I don’t know what is.
For international students understanding and appreciating classic texts will help them navigate the landscape of British schools’ entrance exams and subsequent curriculum. However, it also exposes them to one of the greatest literary heritages in the world. There are a plethora of classic texts spanning almost every genre within the canon; there is something there for everyone.
My top 5 classic British texts are:
- Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
- 1984 by George Orwell
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens