In a digital age dominated by quick-binge reads, classic literature has seen a sharp decline in popularity among Gen Z readers.
Once celebrated as essential milestones in education and personal growth, iconic novels like A tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights are becoming increasingly overlooked. While contemporary novels may seem more relatable, dismissing the classics may mean losing touch with some of literature’s richest treasures.
Classic literature offers something unique and irreplaceable: a timeless exploration of universal human experiences. Beneath the layers of archaic language are deep lessons on love, morality, ambition, and resilience—concepts that resonate just as profoundly today as they did centuries ago.
Jane Austen’s biting social commentary on class and relationships in Pride and Prejudice, for instance, or Orwell’s cautionary themes in 1984 have lessons that still apply to the complexities of modern society.
Classics can be difficult, yes, but that’s because they demand reflection and critical thought, skills crucial to navigating a world where complex issues are rarely black and white.
Classic novels can offer the intellectual challenges and thoughtful engagement that instant media cannot, and the skills developed from reading them—critical thinking, patience, and empathy—can be invaluable in a world often driven by fleeting trends.
In an era of rapid digital consumption, classics may seem like a slow read, but the slower pace offers room to savour language and immerse yourself in worlds that shape how we think today.
Classic literature, after all, isn’t about escaping into a dusty past—it’s about learning to see today’s world with a depth and perspective that only time-tested stories can offer.
