Classical literature in this way. What works are called classics? Artistic culture in the narrow sense

Translated from Latin the word "classical" (classicus) means "exemplary". From this essence of the word comes the fact that literature, called classical, received this “name” due to the fact that it is a kind of landmark, an ideal in line with which it seeks to move. literary process at some particular stage of its development.

A look from the present

Several options are possible. It follows from the first that works of art are recognized as classics (in this case literary) at the time of consideration relating to previous eras, whose authority was tested by time and remained unshakable. So in modern society all previous literature is regarded up to and including the 20th century, while in the culture of Russia, for example, the classics mainly mean the art of the 19th century (which is why it is revered as the "Golden Age" of Russian culture). Renaissance and Enlightenment literature inspired new life V ancient heritage and chose as a model the work of exclusively ancient authors (already the term "Renaissance" speaks for itself - this is the "revival" of antiquity, an appeal to its cultural achievements), in view of the appeal to the anthropocentric approach to the world (which was one of the foundations of the worldview of the man of the ancient world).

In another case, they can become "classic" already in the era of their creation. The authors of such works are usually called "living classics". Among them, you can specify A.S. Pushkin, D. Joyce, G. Marquez, etc. Usually, after such recognition, a kind of “fashion” sets in for the newly minted “classic”, in connection with which there appears great amount works of an imitative nature, which in turn cannot be classified as classical, since “following a model” does not mean copying it.

The classics were not "classics", but became:

Another approach to the definition of "classical" literature can be taken from the point of view of the cultural paradigm. The art of the 20th century, which developed under the sign "", sought to completely break with the achievements of the so-called "humanistic art", approaches to art in general. And in relation to this, the work of the author, who is outside the modernist aesthetics and adheres to the traditional one (because the “classic” is usually a well-established phenomenon, with an already established history) can be attributed (of course, all this is conditional) to the classical paradigm. However, in the “new art” environment there are also authors and works recognized later or immediately as classics (such as, for example, Joyce, cited above, who is one of the most prominent representatives modernism).

Wikipedia article
Classic literature- a body of works that are considered exemplary for a particular era.

The concept of classics in literature takes shape in the last three centuries of antiquity: it denoted a certain category of writers who, for reasons that are not always clear (due to antiquity or authority in the eyes of enlightened people), were considered worthy to serve as models and mentors in everything related to owning a word and gaining knowledge . Homer was undoubtedly considered the first classical author.

What is classical literature - detailed articles and brief opinions in the forum "Literary Brotherhood" (2007 - litbratstvo.com/forum/)

Some think that Classical literature is a model to follow contemporary writers , others consider the classics in a purely historical aspect, meaning by the concept of "classical literature" the works of writers of the past.

Russian classics is not an evaluative concept. And not even historical. Russian classical literature is a genre.
Well, for example: Alexei Tolstoy, the author of Aelita, is related to the genre of fantastic literature, but Leo Tolstoy is not. This is neither good nor bad. In the genre classical literature the author of "Walking Through the Torments" also left a mark - although this by no means equated him with the "real" Tolstoy.

1. Classics are hard to read, because the authors wrote not for us, but for their contemporaries.
2. It is difficult to read the classics, because in today's pace of life there is almost no place for contemplation, which is necessary for understanding the authors of the past.
3. But you need to read the classics, because they exist Eternal values, whose nature originated in the past. You suddenly find that everything is good contemporary fiction- this is the same classic, set out modern language and with modern surroundings.
4. Classics should be read because they can surprise you as a demanding reader.

1) A classic piece, a classic text in textology called all works and texts of late authors, regardless of their place and significance in the work of the writer, the literary process.
Textual criticism is included in the program of study in the specialty "Publishing and Editing".
2) Classics (from lat. Classicus - exemplary, first-class). Exemplary, outstanding, universally recognized works of literature and art that have enduring value for national and world culture. Soviet Encyclopedic Dictionary. IN literary sciences the term does not seem to be used.

Russian classical literature (Sightseeing - www.zemnaya-krasota.ru)

The period of classical Russian literature falls on the 19th - early 20th centuries and is associated, first of all, with the prevailing at that time literary direction- realism, which was characterized truthful image reality.

Russian writers who came from the West realism was comprehended in its own way: as a direction designed to point out to society the existing problems, to think about them. In other words, hallmark Russian realism was his educational character. Classical literature is not just reading at your leisure, but a real "textbook of life", according to N. G. Chernyshevsky.

Very often you hear the term "classic" or "classic". But what is the meaning of this word?

Classic is...

The word "classic" has several meanings. Most explanatory dictionaries offer one of them - the works of the classics: literature, music, painting or architecture. Also given word used in relation to some examples of art, for example, "classics of the genre." However, most often this term is mentioned as an indication of a specific time period in the development of one or another, not forgetting that only a few, the most successful, are ranked among the classical authors. In literature, everything that was written in the 18th and 19th centuries is considered a classic. In the 20th century, the classics give way to modernity. Many modernist writers sought to destroy the previous tradition, tried to find new form, themes, content. Others, on the contrary, used the works of their predecessors for their own purposes. Thus, postmodern works are full of allusions and reminiscences.

Classic is something that will always be in fashion. This is a kind of pattern that forms our worldview, which reflects all characteristics nations of a particular time.

Which writers can be called classics?

As noted above, not every author is included in the ranks of the classics, but only those whose work had a significant impact on the development of Russian culture. Perhaps the first classical writers who left a significant mark on the world are Lomonosov and Derzhavin.

Mikhail Vasilievich Lomonosov

His literary creativity belongs to the first half of the 18th century. He became the founder of such a trend as classicism, so it is impossible not to rank him among the classics of the time. Lomonosov made a huge contribution not only to literature, but also to linguistics (highlighting in mother tongue three styles), as well as chemistry, physics and mathematics. His most significant works: "Morning/Evening Meditation on God's Majesty", "Ode on the Day of the Ascension...", "Conversation with Anacreon", "Letter on the Benefits of Glass". It should be noted that most poetic texts Lomonosov had an imitative character. In his work, Mikhail Vasilyevich was guided by Horace and other ancient authors.

Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin

Writers of the second half of the 19th century

Among the poets, F. I. Tyutcheva and A. A. Fet should be especially singled out. It was they who marked all the poetry of the second half of the 19th century. Among the prose writers are such bright figures as I. S. Turgenev, F. M. Dostoevsky, L. N. Tolstoy, A. P. Chekhov and others. The works of this period are full of psychological research. Each of realistic novels opens before us extraordinary world where all the characters are drawn brightly and vitally. It is impossible to read these books and not think about anything. Classics is a depth of thought, a flight of fancy, a role model. No matter how sophisticated modernists are when they say that art should be aloof from morality, the works of classical writers teach us the most beautiful things in life.

Have you noticed that at school many children do not like to read, especially classical literature, and in adulthood this perception changes (well, only if all the desire to read was not beaten off by teachers). Classical literature is attractive in that it describes situations and people in such a way that an understanding comes about the “sameness” of a person at any time. It is surprising that love, friendship, betrayal, heroism have always existed. The behavioral line of any healthy, both mentally and physically, person should not change with time.

Classical literature, and indeed literature in general, is the best mirror of historical, political events, simple life and everyday life. You can study a bunch of textbooks, encyclopedias on history Patriotic War 1812 with Napoleon and do not understand anything, but you can just carefully read "War and Peace" by L.N. Tolstoy and so imbued with the whole atmosphere that you will never erase from memory.

As mentioned above, people are always the same. Yes, circumstances, language, manners change a little, but actions and reactions are the same. For example, a dishonest businessman who amassed his wealth through murder reminds us of Macbeth. Or a jealous husband who killed his unfaithful wife in a five-story building in the Moscow region is not much different from the well-known Othello. One conclusion must be drawn after reading these classic works: if you kill, change, you will end badly.

In classical works one can find a lot of knowledge, which in modern world received names and on which textbooks are written, courses are held. For example, sign language. Now it is very fashionable to watch TV shows on this topic, to guess about desires by facial expressions, etc. But, a person who reads classical literature, namely Lermontov or Bunin, has long become an expert in this kind of “science”. Subtle psychologists, which were these geniuses, without any serials and textbooks, felt people so subtly that we could only learn from them.

Classical literature teaches you to understand the people around you and yourself. And what is most interesting - rereading the classics, you discover more and more facets of human behavior. Literature is able to teach how to act in one way or another in different situations. Moreover, in the work these situations can be brought to their peak, and the resolution of the conflict occurs dramatically, often tragically. It is better to know about it in advance than to fall into such a situation.

Modern Literature (if we are talking not about tabloid books) is also not so bad, it's just different. She's a reflection today. Classics can be considered a kind of fulcrum in the world of human values.

The plots of classical literature are so diverse that it is not difficult to choose the genre of interest. Of course, it will not be possible to read everything, but it is necessary to pay attention to world masterpieces, especially when it comes to the younger generation. Of course, schoolchildren read the classics not because they are interested, but because they need to. If you, as an adult and a reader, are responsible for raising your children, do not be lazy, discuss what you read at school. Believe me, this will give strength and desire to young people to continue reading.

By the way, one more point in the basket of classics. British scientists have proven that the human brain works differently when reading serious classical literature and simple easy tabloid or adapted. A group of students read various works during an MRI, which monitored brain activity. So, the experiment showed that when reading modern literature the brain does not try so hard, but to perceive the artistic images of the classics, much more brain effort is required. As you know, the better the head works, the better life! And Liverpool scientists argue that a person does not need any textbooks on self-improvement if he is an avid reader of classical literature. And this is no wonder, the classics, as a rule, were geniuses, whose language was rich and eloquent. Artistic images world literature is so multifaceted that each person perceives them differently. Discussing this or that work, people, arguing, come to an understanding and, finally, the truth.

Discussion of the article "The Benefits of Classical Literature"

Vasya

"you won't wake up interest and generally call to rub" - sorry, this is an automatic translation of someone catchphrase?

02.01.2016 (03:20)

Sergey

Your text is about how beautiful classical literature is and how much it can give, but not a word about how to still get it read. Everything you write about is true only in one case: the reader is transferred readable text. Interest is the alpha and omega of the opportunity to absorb invaluable knowledge. If there is no interest, then do not absorb anything. Moreover: forcing a person who has not matured to read a work to read, you will not wake up interest and generally call to rub. Then a person will not take this book in his hands. For example, I have been an adult for a long time, I love to read, but there is no classical literature on my bookshelf, except maybe Dead Souls and Bulgakov.

Anna Karenina. Lev Tolstoy

The greatest love story of all time. A story that did not leave the stage, filmed countless times - and still has not lost the boundless charm of passion - the passion of destructive, destructive, blind - but all the more bewitching with its greatness.