Consuming media that doesn’t fit the mold of what’s classic can create a sense of guilt or disappointment. Of course, everyone is subject to their own opinion on whether or not they enjoy something, but it does pose the question of how these pieces are given the title of being a “classic.” Who gets to decide whether or not something is a classic when opinions are so contradictory?
Diving into classic media is intimidating, especially since it seems like new opinions don’t matter when it comes to cult classics. The media has already been judged and critically acclaimed — what is the point in changing that title?
It is important to note that while something might be called a classic, it doesn’t make it perfect. Many classic books have been criticized recently for their depictions of racism and white supremacy, which contributes to the argument that classics should be taken with a grain of salt and not just completely praised. Books like “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” are often taught in schools, yet they depict certain harmful language or portrayals of non-white characters.
Upon first release, “The Blair Witch Project” gained extreme popularity as it was the first major found footage movie, pushing genre expectations and experimentation in film. Since its release, many more found footage-themed movies and shows have perfected the craft, and many people have gone back and re-evaluated the originals. They aren’t necessarily good; they were just changing the game at the time. In comparison to other movies of the same genre, some might think the “Blair Witch Project” is overrated, as others have done more expansion on the found footage horror scene; however, at the time, it was hard to find negative reviews as there was nothing to compare it to.
Works such as “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley or any of Jane Austen’s novels are great examples of why something is deemed a classic. Shelley began writing “Frankenstein” when she was just 18 years old, yet the topics of power and responsibility discussed in her novel are important to people of all ages. Austen’s work also paved the way for complex characters and gave more depth to expectations of women in the 19th century. Her stories are still enjoyed because of the realism she depicts. Books like these are great examples of how some classics stand the test of time based on their ability to speak to and engage readers in the modern day.
It can also be difficult to compare classics to each other because today, people will use certain classics to measure their greatness beside another piece of media to review it. Classics, especially when discussing literature and film, create the taste that people use to judge and criticize them. Someone may enjoy “Pride and Prejudice,” yet not enjoy “Wuthering Heights” simply because of the writing style, the period or the characters.
It is also important to note that labelling something a classic will change the way people view it. If they go in expecting their life to change or to find a new favorite, they might be disappointed by the outcome. Classics often go from being good by opinion to good by default, and it can be intimidating for a lot of people to disagree with the popular vote, which can also turn them away from engaging with other classic media because it might seem too difficult to tackle.
So, is something good just because it’s a classic? Yes and no. Many films and books reflect their creator’s level of influence, density and depth, while others might just be classic because they changed the game at the time of their release. Recognizing a classic’s status versus its genuine enjoyment are completely separate motions, and blurring the lines between the two is how so many people end up not feeling “good” or “smart” enough to understand them.
dallasva@miamioh.edu
Veronica Dallas is a sophomore biology pre-med major from Cincinnati. She spends most of her time watching old movies, listening to music of all kinds and planning her next trip somewhere across the world.
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