Who/What decide a book ...classic?

Question

I know what a classic book is..but who decide on it? is it the readers?

Answer 1

I think that in addition to what the others have said, it is important to note that gender, race, religion, nationality, etc. play an important role in whether a novel becomes a "classic" (or a part of what we call the "literary canon"). In the past few decades, theorists have focused on the ways in which prejudice operates to exclude certain books and genres from becoming "classics." That's why most high school English teachers have traditionally only taught works by white, Christian men. Things are starting to change, however. And all this is not to say that the works by dead white men aren't "classics" in their own right, only that we as readers should reevaluate the merits of other works that may have been ignored due to their authors' various identities. For example, Willa Cather was a highly successful American author in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She sold books like mad, but was left out of the literary canon for several reasons- her work came to be considered too "feminine" by male literary scholars because it was part of the genre we call "regionalism." Also, she was a queer author (lesbian, transgendered)- one who lived a portion of her life as a man... so it became convenient, even necessary, for academics to ignore her works. I hope this helps!

Answer 2

While time may certainly be a large contributor to the "classic" nomenclature, any novel of outstanding merit has always been accredited with having a driving, strong, and emotionally compelling THEME. Classics are considered so because they hold within their context a deeper meaning than that given by the words transcribed onto pages. In addition, those particular themes stand strong THROUGHOUT the novel and do not waver. They are constants. Examples of themes in classics:

Lord of the Flies - the natural corruptive state of the human being, no matter the age, is always present.

To Kill A Mockingbird - it is a "sin to kill a mockingbird" or it is unjust to destroy that which only seeks to bring happiness.

The Lord of the Rings - corruption is heaviest within the minds and bodies of those who carry the most strength and wisdom.

Crime and Punishment - the redemption of the human soul through religion and love.

Answer 3

Even librarian's vary in their estimation. Most feel that it is a book that has strongly influenced society. An example of a modern classic would be "Catcher in the Rye", "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". An example of a Science Fiction Classic might be "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea". All lists of classics are subjective, influenced by time, breadth of the makers experience and their approach to their audience. Most teachers just want you to read some dead white guy, but there is wiggle room.

Answer 4

I think the readers and the reviewers make the ultimate decision on what becomes a Classic. I've noticed that a lot of the books that have become classics are books that have caused controversy when they were published.

Answer 5

If the book speaks clearly of the time and place in which it occurs, it has a good chance of becoming a classic.

Charles Dickens' David Copperfield is a good example. That book is so depressing, but it describes the era during which David lived very well. It leaves you with a strong mental picture of life as it was lived at that time.

In a more subjective view, some books that have been labeled "classic" make me shake my head in puzzlement.

Society, sales, publicists, and educators all contribute to the decision.

Answer 6

I think of course a book called a classic is definitely decided by its readership, that is, its quantity of readers. However, its literary quality in terms of its unique style of plot, narration or characterization is also the inevitable characteristics to the extent that the book can be categorized as a classic with few equals or none as compared with any book in its similar genre in the world.

Answer 7

The Great Decider is - quite simply - Time.

There are books that were smash hits when they came out and yet they sank into oblivion,

There are books that went almost unnoticed when they came out and yet they're called classics now.

Critics have panned classics and readers have ignored them.

The only true decider is - does the book survive through the ages.

Answer 8

John Slat gives the best answer. It's time that makes a book or a writer classic. I don't think we can say about a contemporary artist that he or his creation is classic. It's a matter of getting known and lasting throughout the years.

Answer 9

it gets seen a classic by way persons the persons, if the e book has bought hundreds of thousands of copies human beings initiate recognizing it and then with time all of us likes it and basically says ohh you are able to examine this e book because of the fact of how time-honored it have been given and then its a classic additionally awards will help oftentimes a classic e book has some award except its a toddlers e book like cinderella. Its the comparable way with video clips the extra funds it makes, the extra human beings initiate seeing it and the extra time-honored and nicely-liked it gets.

Answer 10

I think you should read "Tradition of the Individual Talent" by T.S. Eliot. He will give you the answer you're looking for. Here is a link:

http://www.bartleby.com/200/sw4.html

Enjoy