Summary West Hum II

The article Why read the classics? ,by Italo Calvino was published in October of 1986. This being close to twenty years ago, stills holds true today. Why exactly do people read classical books? Calvino gives the reader of this article multiple examples of the definition of Ð''classical'. He speaks on needing to reread, understand the teachings of the book and the author/ reader relationship to make a book a classic.

One major point Calvino makes not of is rereading a book. He writes, "[point five]Ð'...every reading of a classic is in fact a rereading" (page 2). In order for a book to become a classic many readers have had to of read it at one time or another. Reading a classical book can have different meanings each time you read. This depends on the age, situation, and experiences in life.

Another major point would be that this article makes is the books teachings. These books have a great deal of history that is only a page away in that book. Calvino makes this known in point seven. In a way, the classics bring new light to what the reader already knew at one point. The reader always finds something new about the classical book that they never know before. In point nine, Calvino says "Ð'...[the reader] unexpected

upon reading, the more we thought we knew them from hearing them talked about." (page 2)

The last major point Calvino makes is about the author themselves. On page 3, he states that your author is one who helps define a relationship to them, in point eleven. The author relates with the reader to a degree, making the author known, spreading through reader's hands like wildfire.

A classical book is one that is universal and has no real age. Every time a reader opens a book, they are in for a new adventure, a new rock to uncover. Whether its rereading your all time favorite, reading the teachings, or finding a connection with the author, you can find it in a book. A classical book is exactly that-a classic.