Looking at how classics are viewed in modern times.
When we were young, in an era with no phones, internet, or PUBG/PlayStation; when there were?limited pastimes, I’m sure many of us can recall how our parents kept us busy during summer breaks. Either they would send us out to play or our dear old grandparents would tell us stories to pass the time. I can recall having access to the school library and would issue books every week and thoroughly read them. Books written by Jane Austen, Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, and Charles Dickens were some of my favourites. You can feel a sense of nostalgia when such topics come up.
So, how is a classic defined? A classic book is any book that is considered outstanding in all aspects; having a quality that lasts generations and can be considered the very best in its class. Classical literature can be defined as a literature that existed during the Grecian and Roman eras which include plays, poetry, philosophy, history, etc. There is a difference between classic and classical books. Some of the examples of classic books/novels are The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Train to Pakistan by Khuswant Singh, The Guide by R.K Narayan, and many more.
With changing time, there was an evolution of classic books into what was referred to as modern classic, which was full of fresh ideas and gave a spin to the classic books and made them relatable to the general reader. Post-WWII with the emergence of a new generation, there was a change in perceptions about life, class systems, gender roles, society, etc. These ideas were reflected in the literature written at that time. The writing style changed and new themes and genres were born. Modern classics addressed various cultures, societal prejudices, taboos, etc. Some examples of modern classics are God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and many more.
Let us now have a look at some of the classic books which were given a modern twist by new-age authors:
- Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi: This novel is said to be a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale, Snow White. It uses the theme of the fairy tale to touch upon the subject of decimation based on race. The plot starts with the female protagonist called Boy, who was raised by an abusive father in Manhattan in the early 1950s. At twenty, she runs away to Flax Hill. There she meets Arturo, a widower, who was also a friend of her tenant’s boyfriend. Arturo had a daughter named Snow. Soon, Boy and Arturo get married and have another daughter named Bird. Bird is born as a black girl, and upon investigating Boy finds that Arturo and his family were white-passing, African- Americans. Upon facing discrimination regarding Bird, Snow who was born white was sent away to live with her aunt. A few years later everyone is united and the backstories of Boy’s dad and other characters emerge. Through this plot, the author tried to bring light about discrimination based on colour and shows how circumstances affect a person and they end up doing the wrong thing. This book is different from the original fairytale. Only the name of Snow and the fact she is white and prettier are used. The story is from the Boy’s perspective who is Snow’s stepmom. Jealousy and insecurity make her do wrong things for which she makes amends later.
- The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni: This book is one of my favourites. It tells the story of Mahabharata from the perspective of Draupadi, one of the main characters. Draupadi faced a lot of prejudices and oppression in her time. The story highlights the plight of women in a male-dominated society. Draupadi had to marry five men, she couldn’t marry the man she wanted, because of caste differences, she lived in the forest despite being a princess, she got assaulted by her brothers-in-law in the presence of her husbands, her sons got killed in the war, etc. This book portrays her emotions and hidden desires beautifully. It shows how a person becomes strong in the face of adversities and how god is always there to help. Lord Krishna was her saviour whenever she was in a tight spot.
- The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski: This book is said to be a retelling of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The plot is said to revolve around Edgar a mute boy; running a dog breeding farm with his parents in a small village called Wisconsin. His father suddenly dies mysteriously and Edgar suspects his uncle behind it. Upon investigating, he finds about his mother’s affair with the uncle who he suspected. One thing leads to the other, and both the uncle and Edgar perish in the fire accident at their farm. Here the story is different from the original Hamlet. The main characters namely Ophelia and Polonius in the original are missing. The basic plot is taken and a new story is composed around it. However, a few things are common between the two are both Hamlet and Edgar and their respective fathers were poisoned. In both the plots, both Hamlet and Edgar see their fathers ‘ghosts’. Moreover, Edgar is shown as mute and Hamlet a mentally disturbed person.
- Longbourn by Jo Baker:?This novel is an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. This story is told from the point of view of Sarah who resides in the same house as Bennet’s (the family of Elizabeth). This novel portrays the relationship of Sarah with two men James Smith and Ptolemy Bingley. Sarah becomes Elizabeth’s maid and is torn between the two men. The new novel closely follows the events of the original novel, making Sarah instead of Elizabeth the main protagonist.
There are classic books and then, there are modern classics. Both have their charms in the literary world. Both are equally loved and both have been recreated into television series which everyone loves.
“Though classic has its grace, class, and romanticism, it’s the bit of modern touch that spices things up and makes the story come alive”.
Aditi Pandit, Blog Writer, Inkfeathers Publishing
Aditi Pandit is a blogger from Lucknow, India. She has been an ardent reader since childhood and has an immense passion for writing. You can also go through her blogs on the MOMSPRESSO app published through her stage name Anushka Pandit. You can connect with her on Linkedin.
