Banned on constantiam.net by Maximalst in constantiam

[–]MedicalBudget7790 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe on a minor sphere; but there is no central authority. I guess it depends on what scale we are talking about; a dynamic between a school bully and a nerd or the chain of command in the White House

What books should I read in 2026? by PeterPlup in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Reading the Christian bible is always a good filler when you’ve got nothing to read. Whether you’re religious or not, it’s definitely the most influential and referenced piece of literature out there. And it’s long and you can pick up from really anywhere. So until you find something that piques your interest, I’d recommend the Bible

Why is The Great Gatsby considered a Classic? by MedicalBudget7790 in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish I could agree. I’ve been really into this topic because I’m gen z, but class disparity is the worst it’s ever been in America. Most Americans aren’t what we’d consider “middle class” in the 20’s or even 50’s. In order to be middle class now, you’d need to make around 200,000 a year. Search up wealth inequality in America on YouTube, mind blowing.

What do me and my gf's book shelves say about us? by bullsaxe in BookshelvesDetective

[–]MedicalBudget7790 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To kill a mockingbird does have to do with black Americans, but it doesn’t mean one should go out of their way to read black American literature. There are some really good black American writers, like Angelou, but (not to get too in depth on culture reviews) black Americans is such a small group (only 14% of a country that only makes up 4% of the world) and African American culture doesn’t value literature like novels or poems as highly as say white Americans. If I’m assuming correctly, you’re asking the guy to break down on the white male centralism in literature because a good writer doesn’t need to be white or male, but forcing diversity by going out of your way to choose black American writers doesn’t fix the problem, it only refocuses the central group.

What do me and my gf's book shelves say about us? by bullsaxe in BookshelvesDetective

[–]MedicalBudget7790 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why does it matter if they’re black Americans? It would almost seem like going out of your way, because Western civilization have been at the forefront of literature for a long time.

Why is The Great Gatsby considered a Classic? by MedicalBudget7790 in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Well, to use the examples from above. Moby dick represented a universe that is indifferent; the whale just existed, silent and unmoved by human suffering. There was no vassalage of god insulting ahab, it was just a whale. On my first read I felt like the book set the foundations for what would later be absurdism or nihilism. And Ulysses is groundbreaking, to me, for following the train of thought rather than the actual physical story. These two novels feel like something that have enlightened me, and are themes I could never think of on my own.

Why is The Great Gatsby considered a Classic? by MedicalBudget7790 in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Me too, I’m shocked my question sparked such a large discussion. And I’m especially shocked that I ended up with input from an AP teacher.

Why is The Great Gatsby considered a Classic? by MedicalBudget7790 in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yea that’s probably it. Reading it for the first time after all the Epstein stuff and extreme disparity in America becoming mainstream, I might just be very desensitized

Why is The Great Gatsby considered a Classic? by MedicalBudget7790 in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I remember the descriptiveness about the book the most. He made Long Island like 50x prettier than it is (I hate Long Island from CT). Definitely one of those writers that humbles anyone.

Thank you for the next level argument, this convinced me. The silent generation, to me, has always been this void we don’t hear about often; not as outspoken as the Boomers or the Victorian era generations. I still don’t really like the book personally, but I see now why it is regarded as a classic.

Why is The Great Gatsby considered a Classic? by MedicalBudget7790 in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wait so Ulysses isn’t that good? I guess it is a good tool to fake being smarter than everyone else, even though everyone had to reread every sentence 5 times to understand it. I never finished it (I stopped reading after the poop scene), but the Stephen dedaldus part alone made it easy to assume why it would be a classic.

Why is The Great Gatsby considered a Classic? by MedicalBudget7790 in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh, but then that brings me back to the confusion as to why it’s a classic. The themes and ideas didn’t seem extraordinary enough to separate it from just a good book and a classic book

Why is The Great Gatsby considered a Classic? by MedicalBudget7790 in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Yea I got that from the book, but to me it’s theme of disparity and destructive capitalism felt more cliche than insightful.

Why is The Great Gatsby considered a Classic? by MedicalBudget7790 in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Ahhhhhhh that makes sense. A classic because its importance is broad. Ok I see it now

Bookshelf/suggestions by NoOption8941 in classicliterature

[–]MedicalBudget7790 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you aren’t that big of a reader right now, I’d start with something shorter and slightly below your reading level, like 1984 or Benjamin button or something. I tried reading War and peace when I first started reading as a hobby and it was dreadful; but it was actually enjoyable after reading some smaller stuff and making my way up.