Social and Political Commentary in Classic Literature
A novel which is considered a classic must be a product of it's time. Most writers are influenced by the world around them and use their novels to draw attention to, discuss and critique social and political issues facing their country and the world, during their time. Classic novels serve to teach the readers something about their world.
One good examples of this is Frankenstein (1818) by Mary Shelley. Shelley used her classic tale of a science experiment wrong to comment on the issues facing the Industrial Revolution and The Age of Enlightenment. She used Frankenstein's monster to comment on the problems with playing God and the issue of man versus nature.
Another example is Pride and Prejudice (1813) by Jane Austen. Although Austen's novels did not comment on world events or political issues, they did study and critique social expectations and decorum of her time. Her novels are a good way for modern readers to understand exactly what it was like to be a woman in 19th century England.
Timelessness and Universality of Classic Literature
Not only do novels need to comment on their times to be considered classics, but they also need to be timeless. This means that although they deal with social and political issues of the past, they have an overall message that is still considered relevant to the world today. This is usually achieved by the underlying theme of the novel still being something that humans are affected by, or still struggle with today.
The universality of a novel also is important in helping it become a classic. This means that although the novel was written in a specific country or place, its messages and themes are not limited to that place. They can be understood worldwide.
Anna Karenina (1877) by Russian author Leo Tolstoy, is a great example of a timeless and universal novel. It is still a popular novel today, despite that fact that it was written over one hundred years ago. Anna Karenina explores themes of jealousy, marriage, social expectations and passion, which are all issues that are timeless.
All great classics deal with morals, human nature, simple emotions and desires in a way which transcends time and place.
Effective Language in Classic Literature
Language is important in any work of fiction, and a classic novel must use language effectively. Any novel that is poorly written cannot stand the test of time. The great classic, Madame Bovary (1856) by Gustave Flaubert is a great example, as it has been hailed as being the most beautifully written and most flawlessly put together work of all time. With a recommendation like that, it's only natural that Madame Bovary is considered a classic novel and a must read for all lovers of literature and students alike.
Influence on Future Literature
Novels which are considered classics have a great influence on literature. They have had a lasting impression on our literary culture and future writers. Any good writer has read, reread and studied the classics before embarking on his own writing journey. This is why you often see mentions of classic texts in novels, as authors pay homage to the greats that came before them and shaped language into what it is today.
The Classic Novel vs The Modern Classic
There is also a distinction that can be made between a classic novel and a modern classic. Although, there are no set rules regarding this, it is generally accepted the classic novels were written in the 18th or 19th centuries.
For a novel to be considered a modern classic, it also will have needed to stand the test of time. Modern classics are at least 40 years-old and written in the 20th century. They must also encompass the above features, giving the reader a good insight into their time, possessing timelessness, universality and effective language.