What is "Classic" and "Contemporary" Lit

Michael

I suppose I should be more specific about the differences between "classic" and "contemporary" literature. To be honest, I'm open for suggestions. We all might have different opinions about it and, at the very least, I can be exposed to more ideas.

One might take a scholarly point of view and say that "modern literature begins at such and such a time etc...." That's okay, but I forget half of what I learned in college and I really could use a review on the subject. Very Happy

Personally, I look at horror, sci-fi, and fantasy separately when I think of "classic" and "contemporary." I'm a bit at a loss for horror--maybe in the 1950's?--but I'd say contemporary sci-fi begins with Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey and contemporary fantasy begins with The Lord of the Rings. On the other hand, there's more fantasy out there now that's at least a bit different from Tolkien's stories--maybe there should be a separate forum for that? Then, of course, there's "genre blending," which is what I like to do with my own work.

Anyway, I guess I could benefit from some feedback. Any takers?

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kiwusek · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 30

Classic literature is a piece of writing that holds true throughout the ages despite the constant changing of ideologies and politics of the world. The message is something that can be applied to any period in history although the places and people are different. That is what I think about Classic Literature but I guess you can consider it to be up until the turn of the century (1900). Anything leading up to that including the Greek Dramas, the medieval ages (Dante's Divine Comedy which BTW is an interesting read) the renaissance and the Vistorian era.

Contemporary literature is more modern and less applicable to the ages and more to the period directly before it or the one in which it is written in.

Since the genre of High Fantasy is relatively new (Tolkien's works truly popularized it) I would say that anything that is from the Tolkien Era and well written can be considered Classic High Fantasy.

In Sci-Fi, Jules Verne would be considered a classical sci-fi author. Other than that I am not too sure what else as I am not really that knowledgeable in this topic.

Hope that Helps.

Michael · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:59 pm Post subject:

Very interesting points, kiwusek! Thank you.

Along with Jules Verne, I would add H. G. Welles, of course, and possibly Edgar Rice Burroughs.

On the other hand, although I'd have to agree with you when applying the term "High Fantasy," I'm inclined to think that fantasy literature in general predates Tolkien. I'm thinking of writers like Lewis Carrol and the Brothers Grimm. I would say L. Frank Baum, but I think he was actually a contemporary of Tolkien's.
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kiwusek · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 30

Lewis Carroll is one of my favorite authors. The guy was a genius. In the book "Through the Looking Glass" his crazy storyline develops in such a way that one could play it on the Chess Board with it all ending at the part when Alice becomes a queen (she is a pawn at the beginning. I guess, now that I think about it, that Lewis Carrol was technically one of the first to do a High Fantasy work as it was set in its individual and seperate world from ours.

Michael · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:48 pm Post subject:

I'd say you've got the right idea. But I'd still have to agree with you that Tolkien pretty much defined the conventions of modern epic fantasy.

As good as his work was, I find myself hoping that today's fantasy writers will try to develop new conventions, or at least to use the old ones in different ways - which some have, I think.
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Laura Stamps · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Columbia, SC

I think of the classics as literary fiction. Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Virginia Woolf, etc. All favorites of mine.

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