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I would counter by saying that the genius of English literature is nothing is ever black and white. In Math, for example, "equals" is king. As in 2 + 2 = 4. In lit. classes nothing is quite that easy. Rather, the correct answer always depends, and is up in the air. Without Lit. everybody would be like this: “NOW, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them. This is the principle on which I bring up my own children, and this is the principle on which I bring up these children. Stick to Facts, sir!”
Thus my comment: Also, it shows different styles of writing and the different ways those styles speak to you
You and me both man. Not to mention, like this stuff is new? There are publications detailing folks fantastical sexual encounters by companies like Penthouse (if they still do it, been a while hahah). They seem to be written with couples in mind. Why women think this 50 shades **** is worth a damn is, as you say, "beyond me." When I heard there was yet another book, not just one I could only shake my head. Then I found out there were 3. 3 M-Fin' Books? Then I heard there's even a 4th. They got 4 M-Fin' books??? (reference to Katt Williams and his Foot Locker joke)
Every book I was assigned to read in HS that I didn’t read I read after school with relish...to include all of Shakespeare’s efforts. Not saying it was stupid to read Shakespeare in HS, but I, personally, was not even ready for that kind effort to read. But I wish I was a reader in HS....
Shakespeare is okay, but I prefer Henrik Ibsen to him any day of the week. Shakespeare is more quotable, but as far as satisfying plays are concerned, Ibsen's plays stick with me far more. "The door slam heard 'round the world."
Just google "classic books/literature every one should read" or something similar. You'll come up with many lists. Here's a solid list from Amazon to start you off! I would recommend Animal Farm as your first book if you haven't read it already.
I have a B.A in Literature and am struggling in my Masters program cause I am tired of working so darn hard at my age for free. That said, other degrees can make you money, reading the greats can make you a better person. I am not saying everyone should have to study it in depth...but they should have to be exposed to it, just like I had to be exposed to Chemistry and Algebra despite the fact I am pretty horrible at anything math or science related. As a theater guy I can see how people can get turned off in High School classrooms with "All Shakespeare, All the Time" his plays were written to be seen, like all plays are.
