I don't remember the exact date that I started reading the classics, but I know it was in February of last year. I read an article somewhere on the interwebs that challenged me to read 40 classics. I could count on my right hand how many classics I had actually read all the way through in my life up to that moment. With $100 in my paypal account, I purchased most of those 40 classics on amazon. I stacked them next to my reading chair, and I read. For a year.
I had not read many books through high school and college. There seemed to be some type of encouragement to not read any books. I'm not sure how that was the case, but in some sense, I did feel a bit of pride by not having to actually read the books and still do well on the tests.
I'm a bit conflicted. On one hand, I feel bad in not reading these books sooner, but on the other hand, being a bit older and having more life experience, these books mean much more to me than I think they ever would have in my younger days.
Experience can give you insight. Not always, but it can. I've gained more life experience, and I'm open to more possibilities than the sureties I had in my younger days. I was much like the young and naive Henry Fleming in The Red Badge of Courage, full of enthusiasm and ready to conquer the entire rebel army. And then reality hits and you realize you cannot conquer anyone at all, especially yourself.
And now, after reading my first 40 classics, I'm much more contented with this life that I live. A fire in front of me, a piece of chocolate next to me, and a very good book in my hands is all that I require, or hope to acquire, in this life.
Frankenstein taught me to be content with my lot in life and not sacrifice what I have on the alter of vain ambition. The Brave New World taught me that what is happening in the world around me has been happening for a long time, and that the ever push for progress in science and mathematics is by design. The leaving behind of history and the classics in literature in formative schooling is seen as a worthy sacrifice for the total scientific tyranny of the future.
Animal Farm taught me that some animals, even in the name of equality, were more equal than others, very similar to today's political mantra that some cultures, even though all cultures are equal, are more equal than others. The Grapes of Wrath and The Jungle taught me that life can be so much harder than it is today. Economic realities are shifting under our feet in America, but this is nothing new. An entire generation already lived through this, and some are still living today. This economic new world has already been experienced, and it is what we are experiencing now, and will experience more of in the future - a severe reduction in economic standards of living.
Dante's Inferno taught me the underlying demonic structure of life. Get into one place with a few demons whipping the underlings, only to find that the more you venture out, the worse the demons get. The Confederacy of Dunces showed me the life of helpless, institutionalized college goers where the university acted as a surrogate father to the generations of abandoned young men.
Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz left me in a surreal world where the laws of this earth are not ever followed, and they are happy there. A sorry existence in a world of forever ever unreality. Robinson Crusoe, probably my most favorite read, brought me back to sanity. Crusoe found himself on a deserted island, but it was more than that; he found himself, he found the first true order of life, and he found god.
Metamorphosis and the Trial by Kafka showed me the mind-numbing reality of the modern labyrinth, also known as society. Society has its own rules, its own mind, and you are invited to participate, or not. The rules are hidden and very complex, and if you don't follow these rules, then you are crazy.
The Wind in the Willows gave me hope in a quiet life full of great books, good writings, good friends and messing about on boats. Your entire life can be lived next to a river, and that is quite alright.
Thank you to all the authors that put so much of their life into their writings.
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