What makes a novel "a classic"?

A novel is a classic when it is often referenced and seen in other medias of art or expression. Often, classics are made into films or referenced in modern-day medias. A novel is classic when it is remembered and referred to. If a novel makes an impact in society during the time it was written, then that also makes it a classic. Furthermore, if it changes the societal view or structure of the time, it is classic. Any novel that makes an impact, enough so that it is referenced in the future, time & time again, then it is a classic. If people of all generations are familiar with the novel, then it is classsssic.

My Comments

aw J,
this is a great post. Because your family doesn't do so badly in the money department of things :) and it shows your understanding that money is worthless (well, unarguably unimportant) compared to the other values in the world, including love, relationships and work ethic. I agree 100% that it is unfair that some people are born into a life already facilitated for them, as they naturally inherit wealth, while others struggle to afford a comfortable living. It is a shame that rich people are sometimes snobby and selfish. However, I don't think there is a direct correlation between money & snoody. Some rich people are generous and genuine. Those are the kind I like :) like you.

Jen,
I agree with this post. Obviously, a man who has money is a lot better than not a man who doesn't have money. I don't believe it is shallow for a woman to look for and to feel secure with a prosperous man. Only naturally, a woman would feel more comfortable with a man who has the ability to support a family, and a man who isn't stingy and limited in the things to do as a family for fun. It often feels embarrassing to admit that a man with money is more attractive than a man without, but in actuality, I think it is an important quality that determines the future of a relationship and family.

Jamie,
I agree with you. I think that the quality of your friends comes from things of more value than merely the amount of time you've spent with them. I believe that a certain amount of years doesn't guarantee loyalty in a friendship or relationship. I believe that relationships are deeper than that, and time is not the indicator of who will/will not stand by you. However, I think it is true that some friendships in your later life will be created out of interest, not out of pure desire for a friendship. But, in the childhood years, interest (money, fame, career) is really not relative, and therefore, childhood friendships are initially genuine most of the time. But, the initiative of a friendship doesn't determine the future of the friendship. Thanks Jamie.

Revenge

I believe that revenge is justified when someone beats you or insults you on a daily basis. Actually, really, I think that any form of revenge is justified. Because what is the definition of revenge? Isn't it the punishment or harm inflicted on somebody whose actions are despicable? Whose actions are less than desired? And, in some extremes, disgusting? Therefore, I believe that anyone whose conduct is deserving of hatred is deserving of revenge. For example, in the case of the typical nasty bully girl continuing to bully and to torment others, the revenge she will receive from the victims of her torment is justified. This bully deserves a little taste of her own medicine. It would be completely vulgar if the bully was able to act horribly, without any consequences in her disfavor. Why would she ever stop? Unless some pain-inflicting circumstance is forced upon her, the bully would continue to bully in the belief that she has nothing to lose. Revenge, in this case, would be necessary to stop her. Not always is revenge necessary (rarely - if you're a good person who likes to take the high road), but I think that it is always justified.

(JJ's Comment:
Hey shayna, Im not sure about this one. I think committing revenge is just as guilty as the person who committed the task. For example using your bully scenario. If the girl who was getting picked on went back and got revenge on the bully wouldn't she be steeping as low as the bully? I think for the most part taking the high road is the best bet. You show that you can handle things as a mature person and not everything should be put into payback or revenge but sometimes it is unavoidable.)

uh, after looking at JJ's comment, I want to specify. I don't mean that "bullying back" at the bully or hurting her physically is justified. But if the bully received an awful reputation and image among others, it would be completely justified. Wellllll maybe then, hm. Maybe then, deliberate revenge isn't doing this to her. Maybe it's her own actions that lead to a result in her disfavor. And, that is justified.

My Comments

Kimberly,
I totally agree about the effect reading has on people. This was a very good choice by you to decide to blog about this. Clearly, it has attracted so much feedback and so many comments. People can blog very passionately about reading's impact. Personally, I haven't always read like I do today. And reading is truly a life changing revelation. I feel so much more involved, cultured, intelligent and interesting when I have a book at hand. I love reading because it is so healthy, and also because it is just so relaxing. It's nice to connect to somebody else's experiences, and be able to disconnect at my leisure. Unlike the real world, books give me a sense of complete control. When I no longer want to be a part of the story, I can simply just snap the book shut. I wish real life were that easy: just slamming shut the pages when I no longer want to deal with reality. Wouldn't that be nice? I feel that books provide that sense of a) escape & b) the decision to stay or go whenever desired. There is no information that can not be obtained via reading. I love that, that we are not confined to anything. With libraries and books, the sky is the limit. Clearly, Malcolm experienced that. Without books and his determination in self-educating himself, his life would not have been turned around like it was.

Danielle,
I liked the points you chose to highlight about the trip to Harlem. I agree that Billy was so animated and so full of character, and just altogether very entertaining. I hadn't known why they kept calling Neil, "Neil Shoemakers", so I'm happy I read your blog to be enlightened in that regard. It is very interesting that those nicknames stick like that. I wonder if Neil minds, or if has any preference at all. Like you, I, too, was comforted & moved by Neil's persistence in calling us his family. I thought he was so sweet, and his appreciation for us was clearlyyyy conveyed (because he really just kept repeating it). It's so great that he is so appreciative that we come to tour Harlem and he is able to shed some light to people interested in a topic he knows especially well. Ok, that's all. Nice blog!

(To Napoli)
Gab, I loved your choice to write about love. The situation between your parents is adorable. And because I know them, I know exactly what you're saying. They still seem to be very much in love. I love when that exists between married couples of several years. Mine are the same. I wouldn't want it any other way. It would make me so sad if my parents fell out of love with each other over the years, due to lack of understanding and acceptance of each other's flaws, likes and dislikes. I believe that love cannot exist if it is based solely on appearance. One can only truly be in love once outward appearances are disregarded. Thank you for writing about this, and for incorporating the Beauty & the Beast comparison. This blog was really well written and its content was very refreshing and made me smile.

(To Grskovic)
Gab, you are such an insightful writer. It's obvious that you don't just jot down 100+ words to get the assignment done, but instead, you write about what holds significance to you. I love that about your writing. I agree with your assessment about the evolution of Harlem from Malcolm time to present day. I think it's sad, in a sense. Although it may be improving for the better, it is definitely losing its character as traditional Harlem. The 60% reduction rate of crime is a fantastic improvement, in addition to several others. However, Harlem wasn't what I had expected. It didn't think it looked very far off from the rest of the city. It seemed pretty cleaned up and urban to me. And, although I felt safer there than I had anticipated, it was a little disappointing to be in such an evolved Harlem. It seems to me that old Harlem is just becoming a distant memory...

Harlem #5

Yesterday's trip to Harlem was great. I feel really lucky to have been able to see, in a more up close & personal way, what Malcolm's life was like. It was really moving to walk the same streets that Malcolm X once walked. My least favorite aspect of the trip was the amount of time spent in the bus, rather than experiencing the walk of the New York City streets. I guess, though, that it was healthier for me (who is still getting over the flu) to sit in a heated bus rather than walk in the freezing cold. My two favorite aspects of the trip were the experiences in the Apollo Theater and in the Mosque. Our tour guide at the Apollo was so animated and such a pleasure to spend time with. He put on a great show and kept his audience very captive. It was also a lot of fun to watch our very own students get up and perform. I also enjoyed the experience at the mosque because the Brother was so forthcoming and so concerned with answering our questions and with making certain our uncertainties. One of my favorite things about his "speech" was when he said that in Islam, the practicers NEVER aim to convert or attract others to their religion. Instead, Islam is about treating others with the same love for and care for as you would yourself. I love this about Islam, because I feel it is unlike Judaism and Christianity in this sense. I constantly feel that Jews and Christians are trying to recruit more people to "their" side of the spectrum. Although Jews and Christians get along, I feel that there is a subtle rivalry between the two. I, myself, am not at all religious. My parents never forced me to follow any religion. My father is Jewish and my mother is Lutheran. I do not attend either temple or church. I made this decision to not attend either when my parents gave me the choice of making my own decision. I believed then that if I had decided to be a church attendee and not a temple attendee, that I would be insulting my dad. And vise versa. Throughout my life, I have felt a lot of pressure and guilt for the decision I made not to become religious in either direction. I feel that people use my lack of religious knowledge against me, to belittle me, and to make themselves seem more educated, superior and "loved by God". I have never really talked to a Muslim before yesterday about his/her religion, like I have with Jews and Christians. I feel that yesterday's Muslim Brother took a different approach than most do when speaking about religion. I wasn't turned off or intimidated by what the Brother spoke about. Instead, he conveyed such respect for each individual before him. I love that he was able to be such a strong believer in his own belief, but also be fully accepting and understanding of those whom don't share his beliefs. I felt entirely welcome and respected as I sat there in the mosque. I often wonder about the communities within religious centers, including mosques, temples and churches. I think it would make me happy to be a part of something so tight knit; to be involved in some type of group with common beliefs and with uplifting spirits and souls. I wonder if it would give me a different bounce in my step. I think it would give me a feeling of comfort, worth and belonging. I found this blog of a really enthusiastic Church attendee. He seems to be really intrigued by of the retreats and workshops at his church.
http://socscc.blogspot.com/
It is awesome that he posts a blog and expresses his fervor for his religion with anybody interested in reading. This is kind of what I feel that I'm missing by not at all being a part of a religious community. Had I been, maybe I would fervently be excited and enlightened by similar beliefs as this other blogger. I think that would be nice - really nice - and even better to share the passion with other believers!