Literature: Romance in the Classics
The subject of this page, Romance in The Classics, is not meant to drive away the male students. Actually, these books were chosen because of their time-honored reputation for being popular with both men and women. It would be best if you could read, watch, or listen to all of them. While we do recommend the watching of all of the movie versions, you should read (print or audio) at least one of the titles. Just to get a feel for the writing style of these classic writers. We highly recommend the Pride & Prejudice audio book, read by Kate Reading, for its ability to hold your interest. "Lorna Doone" is a good read, but publishers have been hacking it to pieces almost since its first publication, so we recommend the movie instead. "Jane Eyre" is excellent in print and worth the time. Remember, your goal here is to be well-informed enough to hold up your end of a conversation.
One word of caution: please don't opt for a condensed or abridged version of these books. Most of the speech typical of the genre is removed, leaving little more than a dull outline. This applies to younger children and the classics, as well. Don't be tempted by "Step into Classics" or any of the other butchered abridgments. We've even seen classics which have been turned into comic books. We know students who've been exposed to this tripe and were deluded into believing they'd read the novel and have no need to go any further. It's best for the student to be advised to wait until they're ready/willing to read the book in its original form.
Quotes to Remember
People always live forever when there is an annuity to be paid them.
from Sense & Sensibility
My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.
from Pride & Prejudice
You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight and a half years ago. Dare not say that a man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant.
from Persuasion
Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs.
from Jane Eyre
Of Lorna, of my lifelong darling, of my more and more loved wife, I will not talk; for it is not seemly that a man should exalt his pride. Year by year her beauty grows, with the growth of goodness, kindness, and true happiness - above all with loving.
from Lorna Doone
I'd rather walk calmly along and do without the flying and the thud.
from Anne of Green Gables
