When we think of classic American literature, our brains often go back in time and explore the libraries of literature wonderful authors have produced. Many of these classics we know and love, such as The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald or Moby Dick by Herman Melville were produced over a hundred years ago, but still remain spoken about consistently. Classics are not only characterized by their superior crafting and writing, but by their ability to remain timeless, affect multiple generations, and inspire cultural influence. These literary works, though they will forever meet the criteria, may not be able to impact future generations in the same way. However, it is often argued that an American classic has not been crafted for almost 35 years–or maybe longer.
In a more perfect world, choosing the one ‘last’ great American classic would be simple. We have a few that have made a splash in the literary world and have been marked as more recent classics. Popular contenders within this category include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and Beloved by Toni Morrison. Though these are more modern than other pieces, Lee and Salinger’s works are about 70 years old, and Morrison’s is about 39 years old. Modern, yes, but our current generation has not witnessed a classic unfold into timeless history.
We could argue this point at several angles, all with their own ode to the literary world and its transformation through time. Our modern world itself has been on a roller coaster in recent decades, with technology constantly advancing and society going through major shifts. Entertainment especially contributes to the change in literature, as media is consistent and 24/7 rather than an experience. Think about it–we have podcasts and music in our back pockets, TV always playing, social media videos on our screens at all times, and accessible movies. In a world with the ability to change the media being consumed in seconds, a piece of work becoming timeless stretches close to impossible. Separating timeless from being trendy becomes a common issue, as we may think a book, story, or media form will remain impactful for years, but then the next thing comes along and we forget all about the first one.
Along with constant media consumption, our attention spans continue to shrink. We have become so used to short video clips on our phones that many individuals cannot stay focused on one extended form of entertainment. Our attention spans are barely long enough to withstand TikTok videos, how can we expect people to finish a few hundred page books? While the digital age has brought upon advancements that have benefited society greatly, it also has shifted the way in which we interact with media. We take it for granted, the next video will be better, someone else’s photos look nicer, rather than appreciating the art people put out for us.
Despite it all, authors continue to put pens to the paper and share their wonderful thoughts and ideas with the world. It may not feel the same as it did, and society at large may not appreciate it in the same aspect–but classic literature will remain classic, no matter how many years pass us by. They will remain on the shelves, in our hearts, and within the societal elements we see every single day.
