Cultivating a Passion for Timeless Literature: How to Read & Understand Classic Novels without Feeling Intimidated
- Booknerdian
- Jan 12
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Mark Twain described a classic as "a book which people praise and don't read."
Why do people shy away from the classics, choosing, instead, to admire them from afar?
Classics can be intimidating. The time periods in which they are written are unfamiliar to modern readers, the sentences are long and laden with words that are uncommon in our daily vernacular, and they can't be read and digested quickly.
Despite these drawbacks, classic literature explores timeless themes that still connect with readers today.
Implementing a few strategies when delving into the classics will help you navigate your way from cover to cover without giving up!
Pick a Genre that Interests You
Since classics are lumped together under the same umbrella, we think of them as one unit rather than separate genres. For example, Jane Austen's works are geared more toward women readers because they focus on love, financial security, and social status. Jack London's novels, on the other hand, center on nature and survival. If the classics are something you "muddle through" rather than relish, it's best if you gravitate to the subject matter that is most appealing to you (even though all the classics can be appreciated by both sexes).
Women may find Louisa May Alcott and Charlotte Bronte easier to grasp initially, while men may be drawn to Ray Bradbury or James Fennimore Cooper.
Start with plots that interest you, then branch out from there to explore a variety of classic works.
Break Through the Language Barrier of Classic Literature
Even though the classic novel you're tackling is written in English--the language you speak--why is it so difficult to grasp?
Language evolves. Before the 16th century (1100-1500), authors used Middle English, so their texts contain unrecognizable spelling, vocabulary, and grammar, unless you're reading an annotated version.
By the time of Shakespeare, language had assumed the Early Modern English form but remains so heavy with figurative language that it is still cumbersome to understand.
Contemporary Modern English comprises language from the 1700's through the present day. Classic novels written at the start of this time frame are much easier to read but processing them without missing important details remains challenging. It's like recovering from amnesia--you start to understand who you are but some important puzzle pieces to your life still haven't clicked into place. You may understand the plot and the function of the main characters, but you miss the allusions and get a little lost in the sentence structure, which tends to be long and illustrative.
Many present-day books are succinct and direct, which makes them easy to breeze through but less likely to become enduring masterpieces. Long, descriptive sentences have been pared down to bare bones, and rarely do modern books require critical thinking skills to process.
When it comes to deciphering classic literature texts, consider what research proves to be the best way for immigrants to learn a new language. Experts agree that immersion is the answer. Immersion allows you to engage with native speakers and practice listening and speaking the language daily. Immersion mimics how we first learned language intuitively, and the everyday use of the particular language increases our understanding and fluency.
Similarly, the more you dive into classic novels and wrestle with the unfamiliar sentence structures, verbose language, flawed grammar, and alien references, the more you will absorb it until understanding dawns. Your brain will keep processing the data like a computer, recalibrating to adapt, and in no time, reading classic literature will become surprisingly easier.
The key is to stick with it! Set a goal to read at least 3-4 classic novels each year until you find it less of a task and more of a sweet time to savor the pages of a great book.
Do a Little Research
Don't jump blindly into a classic novel because you might feel lost. A quick online search will give you enough background to help you navigate the story.
For example, if you choose to read The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, enter the title into your search bar, and one of the first entries that will appear on your screen is Wikipedia. In one fell swoop, you will find the plot, themes included in the book, the publication history, critical responses to the novel, a list of allusions with explanations, a breakdown of the symbolism, and stage and film adaptations.
You don't need to spend hours reading critical analysis of the novel--just a cursory glance at a source like Wikipedia is enough to prepare you. With these important points circulating in the back of your mind, you will be able to plow through the story with ease because everything will make sense.
Follow Up Your Reading with Discussion Questions
After you complete a classic novel, how do you know if you really understand what you just read?
One way is to do another quick Google search for discussion questions to see if you can answer them in your head.
If you enter "The Scarlet Letter Discussion Questions" into your search bar, some terrific resources will appear. One shares chapter-by-chapter discussion questions, one includes the definitions for difficult words in each chapter, and one posts several great quotes from the book in addition to discussion questions.
When you're reading for enjoyment, you don't want to "study" or feel like you're being quizzed and graded by a teacher! However, to grow as a classic novel enthusiast, you need to see where you nailed it and where you missed it so you can improve.
Watch the Movie, If There Is One
Scores of classic novels have been adapted to films. After you complete a classic novel, find the movie. Seeing the story come to life will make the foggy parts of the novel much clearer. As an added bonus, you will be equipped to compare and contrast the book to the movie because you're practically a literary SCHOLAR at this point!
Double-book
Classic novels are meant to be savored, which means working your way through one takes time and concentration. This can be frustrating for readers who have a towering TBR pile waiting for them and for those who want to read something easy to relax. Maybe you only have a few minutes to read while waiting in the school parking lot to pick up your kids, or perhaps you don't want to overly engage your brain right before bedtime. Classic novels aren't the type of books you can speed through in short bursts.
Some readers staunchly refuse to double-book, or to read more than one book at a time; however, you may be tempted to give up on the classics if they consume too much of your time. The solution is to have an easier read on hand for those small openings throughout your day when you want to lose yourself in a book for shorter periods. Save the classic for longer downtimes when you can focus.
Learning How to Read & Understand Classic Novels Is Achievable for Anyone
You don't have to be a genius to embrace and appreciate classic literature. Anyone can do it!
Pick a genre that interests you, immerse yourself in the classics to gain literary fluency, invest a minimal amount of time doing background research, quiz yourself with online discussion questions, follow up with the movie, and don't be afraid to double-book to ward off frustration.
The result? You will be a wiser, more refined reader with a deeper appreciation of the literary arts and their influence on society.
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