In "Why Read the Classics?" by Italo Calvino, his tone throughout the essay was that the classics are very good and useful books which can be used to better our understanding of the world. He thinks that these books will be best understood when the reader is mature, but they can still be important for the younger generations to introduce them to some concepts which they would understand better when they grow older (6). For this reason, it would be practical to re-read these books when you become an adult. Italo Calvino also had a disposition that you should only read classics if it is something that truly interests you, otherwise there is no reason; you will not learn much, if anything from it because you may not understand it so well and it would be boring (4). Everyone has certain topics and styles of writing which appeal to them, perhaps because something from the story reminds them of themselves, a friend, or a personal experience and Italo recognized this. For whatever reason it may be the reader feels a connection between the book and this is what can arouse the interest which would allow you to understand and learn from the book.
Calvino, Italo. Why Read the Classics. New York: Vintage, 1991. Web. July-Aug. 2011.
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