Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Kellie Elhai
Mrs. P. Bradley
English 12AP
25 January 2017
Western Canon, a list of works of literature by Harold Bloom, attempts to define ideas
and themes that shaped Western culture throughout the ages. Although the concrete list is
largely debated, a few books that remain there by a general consensus include classics such
as Iliad and Odyssey, The Divine Comedy, and Moby-Dick (Bloom, 1994). However, we must
question the meaning of a classic in this context. What certifications must a book meet to be
considered one? The concept of what makes a classic is as debated as the Western Canon list
Books on the Canon list are celebrated for playing an influential role in Western history
and culture, and their titles are widely known. Many of them sparked anger and controversy
upon their publication, but stood the test of time and spread their fascinating new language and
ideals not just with the West, but with the world. Such works include Joyces Ulysses and Ovids
Metamorphoses, which shocked contemporary readers when they were first released. Later,
they were celebrated for their influence on Western storytelling techniques and the
groundbreaking new ways they explored the human spirit (Bowers, 2016). Harold Bloom
originally lended some solidity to this concept by publishing his own Western Canon list in his
work The Western Canon. The influential literature published in that book is widely accepted as
part of the canon, as it was decided by a respected author. By setting down these general
guidelines as to what type of novels are able to be included, Bloom laid out a format for the
general public to add books to it in future generations. Although books could theoretically be
removed from the list by the Western consensus, doing so would not accomplish anything
When the term classic comes up, most envision old, meaningful novels that are
typically encountered in a school setting. Classic novels are typically old, although it certainly is
not a requirement, and they carry a deeper meaning or message that reveals some truth about
human nature. The definition of classic has been widely debated for as long as the term itself
has existed. Classic novels have withstood the test of time; although newer works can certainly
be considered potential classics, their lasting impact and influence cannot be confirmed until
several decades have passed since its initial rise in popularity. They may be difficult to read due
to the way language has changed, but despite their differences in writing, they also show how
people stay the same (Clarke, 2012). No one in specific chooses which books are considered
classics; rather, the words within the pages speak for themselves. One may consider a novel
such as Ann Radcliffes The Italian to be the most important and classical piece of literature ever
The list of classics is always changing as new and old books alike spread their influence,
but the Western Canon list is fairly static. Classics come into and out of style depending on the
person, location, and overall preferences. In just a few decades, the title Pride and Prejudice
may be met with blank stares. A known classic could be denounced from the title by popular
opinion, or the influence of a single respected opinion. However, the books that shaped Western
culture and ideals are forever etched in history, as their effects influenced past events and, by
default, current and future events as well. Bloom wrote the list in part due to his growing fear of
the death of reading, but by doing so, he encouraged more people to pick up books (Lehmann-
Hopt, 1994). In theory, a book could be removed from the Western Canon list the same way it
would be done in the case of a class: with the word of an influential author or general
agreement. This possibility is neither likely nor beneficial, as changing opinions about what
The concepts of Western Canon and classic literature are both ambiguous and hold
different definitions with nearly every person one discusses them with. However, each term
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describes a deeper truth about the types of novels and poems included within them. Whether a
book shaped Western culture as we know it or has touched people the same way throughout
several decades, both Canon and classic books are some of humanitys greatest achievements.
Works Cited:
Bloom, Harold. "The Western Canon." Water Librarians. Water Librarians, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2017.
http://sonic.net/~rteeter/grtbloom.html.
Bowers, John M. "The Western Literary Canon in Context." The Great Courses. University of
http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/western-literary-canon-in-context.html.
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Clark, Rose. "What Makes a Book a Classic?" The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 12
site/2012/apr/17/what-makes-a-classic.
Presidential Lectures in the Humanities and Arts. Stanford University, 1994. Web. 26