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Reading the classics for fun can be fun

Forget SparkNotes. Pick a book up and read the damn thing.

By Gabs Roman

Published April 30, 2010

Who said classics were boring? In high school, students never stop complaining about all the lame books they have to read. But, considering the number who turned to SparkNotes without ever turning a page, these complaints are mostly bull. SparkNotes saves time — and the effort of expending brain cells — but loses in terms of the experience. Why would you want to experience moving themes and confusing symbolism? Because in addition to the deep stuff, classic works of literature are also populated by the insane, the funny and the surprisingly tragic. These are not books about rich, English people standing on opposite ends of a room talking at each other.

Try some of these high school required readings to discover the weird and wonderful world of classic literature.

'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee

There isn't a high schooler in the country who hasn't been told this book might be the best ever written. Not to put undo hype onto the book (starring Gregory Peck), but consider this is the first and only effort by author Harper Lee, and try not to marvel at the layers of charm, racial tension and the pains of growing up. Show up to find out why the hell Boo Radley won't leave his house. Stay to eagerly follow Atticus Finch, the narrator's father and an uncommonly fair and gentle man who tries to teach his children the importance of compassion and equality in a time and place where those values are often considered weaknesses. As a man of action and principle, Atticus Finch also proves himself to be unusually attractive for a glasses-wearing father of two.

'The Merchant of Venice' by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare never leaves students alone. Teachers endlessly drone on about his unparalleled genius, but never seem to stray far from "Hamlet," "Macbeth" and (barf) "Romeo and Juliet." For a play outside this tired canon, try "Merchant" for both humor and some themes really relevant for modern readers. Shylock is a Jewish man who lapses into caricatured evil in one breath, and in the next, reveals his mistreatment at the hands of Christians and the world at large, which highlights the unsolvable miscommunication between them. Try not to be horrified at his forced conversion during the trial scene and the blithe attitudes of the "heroes" in a "triumphant" fifth act. Also, Antonio proves an interesting puzzle for 21st century sexuality. How strong is his love for Bassanio, exactly?

'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley

Forget everything the 1931 film did to sully the good name of Frankenstein's monster. There are no "Fire, bad!" or "Friends, good!" moments for this monster. Educated on the likes of "Paradise Lost," he eloquently states his desire to fit in with a society that shuns him for his looks. Although the novel ends in a chase around the world as the monster stalks Frankenstein (yes, the scientist is Frankenstein — consider your mind blown) and kills the people closest to him, this isn't a straightforward "bad!" or "good!" tale. Frankenstein suffers the death of his friends and family, but he also played God to create the monster and then ran away when it wasn't as pretty as he hoped. Who is the real villain here? There's a rumor floating around Shelley began this novel on a rainy vacation, competing against author friends to write the best scary story. See why her work emerges the winner.

'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens

High school was the best of times, and it was the worst of times. Anyone who has read the opening of "A Tale of Two Cities" knows how long-winded Charles Dickens can be. Dickens' works ramble on far past the average attention span of YouTube-raised youth, but they also offer surprising humor and wit that make the journey worth it. "Great Expectations" follows Pip's journey as he tries to make it in the real world, which proves more chaotic and insane than any real world has the right to be. Miss Havisham stands out among the small army of colorful characters, living up to her now-iconic status. Abandoned at the altar in her youth, Miss Havisham is still a bit hung up about the whole business. Not only is a room in her house filled with the rotting cake and molding decorations, but she still wears her old wedding dress. Every day. Not only that, but she's also crafted her ward, Estella, into a sadistic ball buster. The characters power the book along until the end, which has enough complicated revelations to make "Lost" blush with envy.

'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Anyone still on the fence about whether they should pick up F. Scott Fitzgerald's tale of messed-up, aristocratic booze-a-holics should reread this sentence. Yes, like most works of high English literature, there are deeper themes teachers talk about incessantly — what is that green light? And what about that damn optometrist billboard? To take "Gatsby" in as relaxation, focus instead on how the well-meaning narrator documents the people around him, so enjoyably selfish that it really matters who's old money (read: properly rich) and who's new money (read: upstarts that don't belong). Gatsby's obsession with Daisy makes no sense when you actually pause to consider that most relationships are based on mutual affection and there's no redeeming quality in Daisy that makes her potentially attractive to anyone. But, boy, is it interesting.