Recently the same phenomenon is taking place in literature. “You can think of the literary canon as equivalent to the Top 40 music charts!” How often do you hear the phrase ‘that’s so mainstream’ used as a dismissal? These songs are the most frequently listened to, but fans of obscure alternative groups have been questioning since the dawn of time – well, since the NOW CDs came out – whether they actually represent the best quality music. “Canon: a body of writings especially approved by critics or anthologists and deemed suitable for academic study”Įssentially, you can think of the canon as equivalent to the Top 40 music charts. The canon is defined as ‘a body of writings especially approved by critics or anthologists and deemed suitable for academic study’, according to the Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms which is effortfully pulling me through the endless terminology of my literature degree! Questioning the Canon is a new feature in which I hope to bring to light lesser-known books about a certain issue, which can be read alongside or instead of infamous ‘classics’. Please note that this post contains affiliate links. I am a proud member of the Better World Books affiliate network – the ethical online bookshop.
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