Literature has always served as a mirror to society. Therefore, as the world evolves, the literature exposed to students should as well. To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, and Romeo & Juliet are all classics revered for their timeless lessons but it’s important to start questioning if they’re still relevant to the modern high schooler.
High school English classes are designed to help students develop an understanding of literature and communication. Considering these books were written from the 1500s to 1900s, it is appalling that students are still expected to fully immerse themselves in the literature. Books like these often drive people away from developing a love of reading and can foster an uncomfortable environment in classrooms.
As a sophomore, I’ve seen several students who attempt to keep up with the books assigned in English class but end up feeling disconnected from the material, resulting in a lack of motivation. This can leave students feeling left behind in class and less inclined to read in the future.
For example, To Kill a Mockingbird may address racism, but people of color are not given much background, and all of the perspectives are presented through white characters. Not to mention, while racism is still a prevalent issue today and important to teach to students, the book contains outdated depictions of marginalized groups and problematic language. If the purpose of teaching the novel to students was to tackle the issue of race or display a well-written, high school-appropriate work of literature, To Kill a Mockingbird lacks both.
These books also don’t focus on the social issues that our generation faces today, such as global warming, mental health, rapid technological change, and more. Conversations about these topics would be far more relevant to the modern high schooler and would garner more interest from students. Students often fail to relate with the societal norms and issues of the time.
Another issue with these books is that they’re predominantly written from the perspective of white males. In today’s much more diverse classrooms, these books fail to provide a broader range of voices. Diverse authors are often rejected in favor of older, more established ones, leaving students with limited understanding of different cultures and experiences. Students often feel disconnected from books in which they fail to see reflection of themselves in the writing.
Incorporating books with more diverse perspectives would create a more inclusive learning environment for everyone. When literature speaks to students, it often challenges and inspires them, but also motivates them to become lifelong readers and critical thinkers.
