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Older me thinks cultural literacy is important. Like the origin of idioms, catch phrases, parables, tropes, identity, etc. Although I read A LOT as a kid, I sk
by specialist 2y ago
Older me thinks cultural literacy is important. Like the origin of idioms, catch phrases, parables, tropes, identity, etc.
Although I read A LOT as a kid, I skipped most of the classics. (Meaning: anything not sci-fi, fantasy, or non-fiction.)
Around 30yo, I got Gulliver's Travels as a gift. Wow. I loved it. Provided context for so many common clichés.
So I started to check other classics off the list (as able). I wish I'd started earlier. Face palm slap.
Good, bad, or indifferent, being exposed to the origins of ideas expanded my worldview and gave me appreciation for what followed.
- graemep 2y agoI agree, and I encouraged my kids to read the classics, but I did not give them a list of stuff they must read. I suggested things I thought they would enjoy. > Around 30yo, I got Gulliver's Travels as a gift. Wow. I loved it. Provided context for so many common clichés. Another writer whose works are just a bunch of clichés. I was disappointed to find Shakespeare was the same. (that is supposed to be a joke, BTW). I do not think it such a disaster to read those at 30. better to read them a bit later and enjoy them, than to read them earlier and not. What you enjoy does change over time. I think the most important thing is to get kids to read, then to read anything reasonably good.