The Influence of Classical Literature on Popular Culture
The success of a given literary style is poised to be determined by the inherent content and the communicational approach adopted in that, target audiences develop an acceptance of a given culture based on the appropriateness of the message and the reach-out medium. In the case of popular culture, classical literature has a major influence on the given literary genre due to the fact that some of the content that people receive through the various digital platforms, and also the techniques used to prepare the content are based on the past sources of literature (Doll, 61). Doll (63) notes that in the modern literature numerous techniques including the use of flashbacks are still being applied thus indicating that the classical literature plays a key role in the development of modern literature. This paper will assess how the classical literature has influenced the popular culture including movies, music, video games, social media, and television by paying attention to content, and communication styles of the given literary genres.
The Accessibility and Communication Enabled by Classical Literature
The great revolutions which continue to occur in the classical literature have allowed people to easily seek knowledge from various platforms, and to communicate without challenges (Jenkins, 154). From the linguistic perspective, the use of simple language, intonation, physical expression, and flashbacks among other literary devices have enabled individuals to understand, analyze and evaluate language and the content they receive from television's, social media and other digital media platforms. Therefore, an awareness of the developments that have occurred in the classical literature which acts as the backbone of what defines today's literature provides a basis for the understanding of the popular culture (Doll, 63).
The Importance of Safeguarding Classic Literature for Contemporary Society
Lindblom (128) affirms that for pop culture to exist and have a meaning, people must safeguard the teachings of the classic literature. Here, it is imminent that although the people may seem to have shifted to what can be termed as modern literature, like accessing information through Television's, the past remains fundamental as it enables the society to have a broad view of the current daily lives through the work that was done many years ago. For example, some of the books that have been converted to movies have made people to have a content which they can view through their Television's, and develop an overview of the past through the modern media.
Influence of Classical Literature on Content Conveyance in Popular Culture
An assessment of the content conveyance techniques that are being used in the popular culture and especially indicates that the digital platforms have been borrowed from the classical literature, thus asserting the influence of classical literature on the development of the popular culture contents. For example, many works of classic literature have been converted into a movie, indicating that what seems to be of past is still essential in making the content conveyed through the digital media as witnessed in the case of Pride and Prejudice. The classic literature has also influenced the pop culture in that when transforming some of the classics, one must relate the techniques used to those of the past to avoid changing the meaning of the content (Jenkins, 158). For example, when making some of the music genres such as reggae, an individual bases the techniques to those used in the past to avoid making the music type to lose its meaning.
The Connection Between Classical Literature and the Present
In the time when culture, technology, and society are drastically changing, classical literature plays a crucial role in enabling the people to have a proper connection between the past and the present. Hurley (27) affirms that for literature to be beneficial people should establish a proper connection between the old and the new in that, what is contained in the classical literature is fundamental in determining the contemporary lifestyles and items that are regarded as popular and generally accepted. For example, some of the books written many years ago enable people to understand some aspects concerning their culture and other elements that influence their living standards and relationship with others.
Conclusion
It is evident that the past continues to influence the future and also the present through the writings that have been handed down through the centuries. The styles used in classical literature will continue to influence how the people understand popular culture because although some changes have been made, some techniques such as the use of flashbacks have been borrowed from classical literature to prepare the content that is being consumed today. Classical literature influences popular culture based on the assertion that the content which people consume today and the techniques used in conveying messages are attained through the modification of the past literature.
Works Cited
Doll, Christopher. Retromania: Pop Culture's Addiction to Its Own Past. Notes, Vol. 68, No. 4, 2012, PP. 58-98.
Hurley, Joseph. H. Pop Culture Places: An Encyclopedia of Places in American Popular Culture. Reference " User Services Quarterly, Vol. 54, No. 3, 2015, PP. 24-35.
Jenkins, Lee. M. Studies in Classic American Literature and American Studies. D.H. Lawrence Review, Vol. 37, No. 2, 2012, PP. 154-168.
Lindblom, Ken. Teaching Reading with YA Literature: Complex Texts, Complex Lives. English Journal, Vol. 107, No. 1, 2017, PP. 124-135.
