Why Students Should Read Classical Literature

Daria Petran

11th grade A

Centuries have passed, but the fears, dreams, and desires that drive people have, somehow,

remained the same. That is precisely why classical literature is crucial to our development as a

generation. These so-called “old” and “outdated” books actually reveal how little human nature

has changed.

As The FIS Education Bulletin (2024) notes, classics “stand the test of time” because they

expose the very essence of what it means to be human. Whether it’s Shakespeare’s portrayal of 

ambition in Macbeth or Austen’s exploration of pride and prejudice, I strongly believe that these

characters could easily be walking among us today.

It goes without saying that reading classical literature does, indeed, refine the mind. It broadens

vocabulary, sharpens comprehension, and stretches imagination. Unlike modern stories that

hand everything to the reader, classic works demand engagement, since they compel students

to visualise worlds and situations which are not very relatable to the modern reader, decode

symbols, and combine ideas from multiple areas of knowledge, such as history, philosophy, and 

culture. According to ScholarWorks (SJSU), this intellectual effort improves overall critical

thinking, a skill that is essential both inside and outside the classroom.

Moreover, there is an emotional appeal to reading classics as well. When we read about tragic

mistakes and timeless struggles, we inherently learn from them. As the saying goes, “history

repeats itself”. However, literature gives us a chance to recognise the pattern before we make

the same mistakes as our ancestors. Nonetheless, books like “1984” by George Orwell and

“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury remind us what happens when we disregard reading as a

viable source of information: ignorance spreads, individuality fades, and we become more docile 

than ever.

Ultimately, I am firmly convinced that to abandon the classics is to turn away from our own

reflection. By reading classical literature, students gain empathy, wisdom, and perspective,  all

of them being vital qualities in today’s world.