Reasons Why Reading Classics Is Difficult

Reasons Why Reading Classics Is Difficult

Any book lover knows what a classic is; they’re usually old, celebrated books that are often directly referred to as classics on the cover itself.

Classics are hard to read because of the writing style, historical settings, narrative structures, and symbolism. To improve understanding, read an annotated version and research a book’s historical period.

But apart from a book’s age, it’s hard to understand what it is exactly that makes one book a classic, but not another. Most often, we’re told which books are classics so much that we don’t know how to spot one without it. Facing some of these difficulties while reading a novel, then you should know you’re reading a classics.

RNN has provided in this article reasons why readers find it so difficult to read classics

1. Reading classics takes lots of time

Most classics are written in older English, so it is harder to understand since it is more complex than modern English used in books today. Even books like Uncle Tom’s Cabin and To Kill A Mockingbird, may not be Shakespeare but they still are written in more complex English than books like Divergent.

2. Some words are too difficult

Today the language is different than what it used to be centuries back. Many of the old English words are getting replaced with newer words. Less prevalence of old English had brought us to the situation when we could not understand the language that was used a few centuries back.

As language evolves, the style and structure change, word meaning transforms, and some words fall in and out of style. English Literature has transformed over a few hundred years.

For instance, Middle English was used by authors before the 16th century. It resembles modern English, but it is challenging to read without annotations. It has improved spelling but is still hard to read. You will notice excessive use of figurative language that is confusing for a modern reader.

3. Difficulties in finding meanings to words (Error 404)

The Internet always helps us to know the meanings of various words but a few of the centuries-old words can’t be found in the dictionary or the internet either. It makes it quite difficult to understand the meaning of such words. Obviously, you can’t dedicate a long time just to know a meaning of a particular word.

The structure is simple, but the meaning is not easy to translate.

4. Boredom

Aside from reading classics,  some people find reading to be a boring activity with the fact that they get used to the level of engagement they get from their phones. Social media platforms and content streaming platforms have the potential to feed us with endless entertainment available at our fingertips with zero effort.

Reading is a one-way communication. If you are a studious person then you might have experienced that reading in a calm place is the best way to retain concentration. Classic novels swing around such complicated matters that only interested persons will read them from beginning to end. Chatting over social media seems more interesting as it’s two-way communication. Youths prefer to chat more than finish reading classy novels.

5. The tragic end in classics

Some famous writers have preferred to have sad endings in their novels than happier ones. This really depresses someone from reading classics. They want to experience all good things in life and when they come across such tragedies obviously they won’t like reading them.

6. Staying away from Mobiles and other social gadgets

Here is another reason why reading classics is so difficult. When you decide to finish reading a fat classic novel then it means you can’t enjoy using your mobiles. As reading and using your mobiles can’t go hand in hand. Hence youths prefer to avoid reading novels but they can’t afford to stay away from mobiles.

7. Difficulties in understanding the narrative structure

A narrative structure is how an author presents narrative elements to a reader. Most Classics will have a chain of events and story elements such as conflicts, protagonists, and settings.

The narrative structure can make it challenging for readers to know what the author discusses.

Understanding a book’s narrative structure means knowing why characters, plots, and writings are in the text. As such, you will have an easy time reading the book.

An author will connect a plot and what drives it. The author will take you through events and help you see why they matter. The narrative structure will also help you know the meaning of what’s happening.

8. Differences in the historical setting and culture

Authors write for people from their historical setting, not for people in the future. They know that their readers will understand the cultural and social contexts. However, social and cultural contexts change and books that last for centuries are hard to understand.

Most Classic books attack their time’s cultural, social, and religious convictions. So, it is crucial to understand which norms are under attack to grasp the context of the book.

Jane Austen’s books showcase the early 19th-century polished society. Ignorance of social norms at the time could make you miss hints that would be obvious to a reader in the 19th century. So, unschooled readers easily overlook the biting satire in Jane’s books.

Another example is Jane Eyre’s book, where Charlotte attacks the religious belief of charity. Jane is also very independent, which is appalling in Victorian society.

9. The use of symbolism

Symbolism is hard to grasp, especially for Classics. Authors use symbolism to deepen the ideas and themes in a book. However, if you cant recognize symbolism in a text, you miss out on a lot.

To understand symbolism, readers need to learn with other people because it will help them grasp concepts they missed when reading alone. Enrolling in a literature class or joining a book club will give other people’s perspectives on the book. You will understand and retain information and get valuable insight into the symbolic texts of the book.

You can find a local book club by searching on the internet. If enrolling in a class isn’t an option, try joining a massive open online course. The courses are affordable and sometimes accessible.

10. Few classic novels have lesser pages but higher prices

The high price of classy novels could not be ignored. It would be really difficult for the youth or the readers to purchase costly novels from bookstores. Unless there is a public library facility in your vicinity, it is very difficult to imagine that readers are spending lots of money to purchase classic novels. Unless the government of the day promotes reading habits among the youths by opening more libraries and distributing books, it would be really difficult to purchase costly books.

FAQs

Why do I find classics boring?

The use of symbolism

How can I make reading classics easier?

Readers need to learn with other people because it will help them grasp concepts they missed when reading alone.

Why is it hard to understand classics?

Most of the difficulties arise from the fact that classics generally differ from everyday speech, which is aimed at conveying information as quickly as possible. This difference may surprise, confuse, and even irritate the reader.

How can I read classics without getting bored?

Try to get into a routine- maybe reading 1 chapter a day or every night before bed. Start off with easier books. If you want to keep to classic lit, then start off with ones with simpler, uncomplicated writing styles and plot lines.

What causes slow reading?

This often happens if you’re exposed to noise or other external factors while trying to read. Poor concentration is also related to daydreaming or worrying about problems. The lack of concentration can also be connected to the lack of interest in the text you’re reading.

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