A little assistance please

[woeful painter]

Hi guys, would anybody be kind enough to help me out? I just got a question: How do you introduce a modern literary reader to classical reading? I mean, could you suggest a good classical piece that could perhaps captivate a person who has never previously read anything classical?

To make it rather clearer, the real story would be that there’s this girl that I like. But we’re more of stuck at different time zones if I would put it that way. While she’s busy living in the 20th century, or more accurately, half of it and up to the 21st century (present of course :) ), I’m currently down feasting at the 16th ‘till 19th. Anyway we can meet midway without our worlds clashing? I’m not much fond of modern literature except for some SciFi’s (StarTrek, StarWars) while she’s fond of some inspirational easy to read kinds, and some Harry Potter too :) I was about to pick out Jane Eyre for her at one moment, though I haven’t read it yet. but then, I’ve heard of negative comments about it here so that leaves a bit confused. I’m finishing the 7 books of Chronicles of Narnia now and thinking of giving it to her afterwards but is it too childish for a 19 year old? Considering I am 19 too and will most willingly plead guilty for being childish :D

Anymore suggestions please? Thanks in advance for the help! Have a nice day!

[AimusSage]

Make fun of her for not knowing her classics, that's always a good start. Share your knowledge. Recommend a book you like. If she reads it and likes it, good, if she doesn't like it, make fun of her for not liking it. It doesn't really matter what book you recommend, although a little consideration is always good.

As for the Chronicles of Narnia, she reads Harry Potter, that says it all don't it, nothing childish about reading those kind of books. Both series are an entertaining read. It doesn't always have to be incredible and/or thoughtful literature.

Just be confident in your choice, and you'll do fine.

[woeful painter]

:lol: thanks, i could make fun of her except that she's a little kind of stiff or has a serious personality, i wouldn't want to be thrown out of the window :D but really, thanks!

[Xamonas Chegwe]

:lol: thanks, i could make fun of her except that she's a little kind of stiff or has a serious personality, i wouldn't want to be thrown out of the window :D but really, thanks!

Don't stand near a window when you make fun of her then. Or make sure it's a downstairs one and open it in advance so that you don't smash the glass and cut yourself.

We are full of such helpful tips here. Welcome to the forum. :D

[Petrarch's Love]

Woeful--For heavens sake don't make fun of her :lol: (I assume Aimus was in jest). As a fellow inhabitant of the 16th-19th centuries (and mostly the 16th), I understand from experience where you're coming from. My advice would be not to push her too hard about liking what you like though. You might recommend some things that you think she might enjoy, but be prepared that they just might not be her cup of tea. Make it clear to her that there isn't some sort of pressure about her having to like everything you like. It can be a real turn off if you feel that someone seems to always be judging you because of the books you do or don't read.

In the course of conversation you just might talk about some books you like and why you like them and how the themes in those books relate to modern life. She might become interested in them because of the enthusiasm you have for them. Also, since you're romantically interested in this girl, there's nothing like reading her a little love poetry. Say something like, "You know whenever I'm with you it reminds me of Shakespeare's sonnet 18" (or fill in poem of your choice) or "you remind me of this character in the novel I've been reading." Then talk about why you like this poem or book so much and how it relates to life and love. You'll instantly have her relating to the work in question and get points for being a real Romeo. :) Also, you should try to read some of the things she likes. Have you read the Harry Potter books? I've found them quite enjoyable reads. I don't think recommending Narnia would be a bad idea, especially with the film out right now. It would give you guys a good reason to go out on a movie date when she had finished the book. Who knows, maybe you'll find that cinema is something you can both enjoy as the common meeting ground between your two worlds (if nothing else, it's fun eating popcorn and making out in the dark of the theatre ;) ).

[Ryduce]

Tell her she's fat also.That'll do the trick.

[woeful painter]

Xamonas Chegwe,
:lol: i'll remind myself of those

Petrarch's Love,
very insightful thanks. yes, i know Aimus was just kidding. :D And poetry yes, very much my love as well, i never found a bad author for me, i love them all! i learned to write poetry because of shakespeare and wordsworth :) I haven't read Harry Potter Books since i got introduced to the movie first before the book, i just kind of hung there instead. i'm sure we could enjoy some movies together. whoa, i never knew i needed to learn much now....how to speak (to her...i most probably will faint upon uttering a sound :lol:), how to read modern literature, how to watch...i practically have my ears plugged to the radio and eyes on my books than TV and have watched very very few movies.

Ryduce
:D

thanks much guys! will practice on my performance :D

[Isagel]

The fairy tales by Oscar Wilde? And some short stories by Poe? There are also some really amusing poems by Donne like "Go and catch a falling star... " These I think can appeal even to a fan of the 21st century.

[AimusSage]

I wasn't kidding, well I was, but I was serious about making fun of her, but in a positive way. Petrach is absolutely right about not enforcing your opinion on her, but you still have one, so she will still have to accept that.

I am not so sure about the love poetry though, it tend to put you in the, Awww, so sweet, you're a nice guy, category, which can evolve into being friends, and if you are interested in her, you don't wan't to fall into that category. It's hard to get out of. She'll like you as a friend. Not as a potential romatic interest or whatever you want to call it. Seriously, I don't know how well you know each other already, but poetry is best kept for a time when you are further into a relationship. poetry is a good thing, but never to soon, and always use humor in it, don't make it all mushy. It's a perfect way to make fun of her too! ( I know,

And if she is serious, and stiff, she is the perfect girl to make fun of. Just take Xomonas' tip, and don't do it except for the ground floor.

I gotta go now, but trust me, take the best of both worlds, mold into a big ball of humor, and use it to get so stuck into her mind, she can't get you out of it. :nod:

[woeful painter]

how well we know each other? hmmm...we've never talked yet! i get my insights of her from a friend who's close to her, though i see her everytime around the campus. Hey, i'm starting to like you're style. Thanks Aimus.

Thanks Isagel for the recommendations. :)

be back a little later....

[woeful painter]

I am not so sure about the love poetry though, it tend to put you in the, Awww, so sweet, you're a nice guy, category, which can evolve into being friends, and if you are interested in her, you don't wan't to fall into that category. It's hard to get out of. She'll like you as a friend. Not as a potential romatic interest or whatever you want to call it. Seriously, I don't know how well you know each other already, but poetry is best kept for a time when you are further into a relationship. poetry is a good thing, but never to soon, and always use humor in it, don't make it all mushy.

so that's where i'm going all wrong. i tried coutring my first love before and sent her a poem before i even got introduced to her, it wasn't love poem though, or i don't really know what to call it, but i just composed it in admiration to her simplistic and beautiful lady-like qualities. that was back then when i was in junior high. when we came to know each other, we became best friends instead of lovers, it hurts, yes...until now :bawling:

but then i thought i had to move on, so i tried again just last december and did the same thing, i got this pretty little young girl a big SpongeBob pillow (she's younger than i am and loves SpongeBob) then i attached a poem on it, again in admiration to her traits, these were my Xmas gift for her. these traits are mostly of what i observe from her since i don't exactly know the person directly. i arranged for us to meet after her dismissal, she was working as a sudent assistant in an office at school. evening came, i waited for hours till it got really late....sigh, i just got stood up and went home cold, hungry and lonely. no regrets though, i just liked her anyway, she didn't seem to like literature too, guess we really didn't have much in common :)

but this time i think i'm really falling :blush: Yes, thank you for the great insight. i now know that i need to reserve those ideas for later use. Thank you again! :nod:

[PeterL]

You might point out that contemporary writers refer to classical literature, and that without knowing what ther references mean part of the meaning of the contemporary literature is lost.