The Hidden Dangers of the Canon

by Aaina Jassel

We all know about canonical literature – they can be described as ‘classics’, or as ‘boring’ and ‘intellectual’ depending on what you like to read. Despite what you may think about this genre, the fact is we’ve all read at least one (even in school) as well as being aware of others. It isn’t just the novels, the authors names are also well known. I for one have never read an Ernest Hemingway novel yet I know his name; I can say the same about Harper Lee but I have no idea why she’s killing mockingbirds. Why do we all know these novels and authors and are they worth knowing? What does canonical literature actually teach us?

Jane Austen. One of the most famous female authors of her time creator of a number of well-renowned novels from Pride and Prejudice to Mansfield Park. Her novel Pride and Prejudice feature the strong female character of Elizabeth Bennet who wasn’t ‘girly’ nor weak-willed, but a wellread, adventurous woman. This character was deeply undermined by Austen’s use of female stereotypes throughout the rest of the novel. There is Elizabeth’s sister Lydia Bennet who swoons at the sight of the soldiers, collects ribbons, and is seen to be hyper feminine. This stereotype of a young girl who is interested in ‘girly things’ such as ribbons and boys doesn’t undermine Lizzie’s character alone, but paired with the stereotype of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, together they completely contradict the feminist lead. Lady Catherine is a clear representation of the negative portrayal of a woman with her outspoken nature and coldness – both of which emit unpleasant connotations. Austen gave us a wonderful feminist character in Elizabeth Bennet and then completely destroyed this progressive nature by featuring these minimised, stereotypical characters. In her novel Mansfield Park Austen creates a huge narrative gap as Mansfield estate could not be sustained without Sir Thomas’s property in the Caribbean. Sir Thomas as a character himself is a pure example of a colonising figure who returns from the Caribbean to ‘restore order’ to Mansfield. His time away – the time spent on his plantation – fuels his living in England, yet is rarely, if ever, mentioned. Both of these widely popular Austen novels show the lack of diversity and display a huge lack of diversity through race and gender alike.

"Within the fi rst 38 chapters of Oliver Twist Fagin is referred to as ‘The Jew’

Felix O. C. Darley, 1865 Dickens’s The Adventures of Oliver Twist, Household Edition, vol. 1 frontispiece.

Is this what we want to teach the future generations?

Charles Dickens is another widely known author who unfortunately doesn’t seem to teach us the right lessons. You don’t need to look far and some of you might have already thought of this. Dickens’ portrayal of Fagin in Oliver Twist is not just problematic but full of antisemitic stereotypes. Within the first 38 chapters of Oliver Twist Fagin is referred to as ‘The Jew’ roughly 257 times. This emphasises that he is nothing more than his religion and that his religion is to be frowned upon – it is a derogatory term to be ‘a jew’. This representation of Jewish people being inherently evil stemmed from images created by non-Jewish people to villainise those who differed to themselves. This promotion of hatred to a specific group of people is in a novel that not only has been glorified and made into many productions but also is a school text for some.

Despite this, there are some canonical texts which seem to provide a better view for society. In Oscar Wilde’s play, The Importance of Being Earnest, the women are definitely not placed in the weaker roles as the men completely change themselves to please – achieve – the women, not the other way round. This suggestion of the women having more power is an important message that should be seen in more literature. Women do not need to be the weaker gender automatically, men are allowed to be in weaker roles. This is shown in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales as three of the pilgrims are in fact women; The Wife of Bath, The Prioress and the Second Nun. Many critics have said that the female narrators have more complex characters than their male counterparts but also as they journey on the women are seen as equal to the men. These women, whilst being in traditional female roles such as the wife and the mother, are rounded characters. These two examples show that canonical literature does still hold value and can teach us worthy lessons and ways.

The Prioress's Tale , a painting by Edward Coley Burne-Jones

These canonical texts are called ‘classics’ for a reason. But is this a good enough reason to reinforce racist and sexist ideals amongst the newer generations?

SCRIBBLE

Independent Day School 32 Town Walls , Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 1TN www.shrewsburyhigh.gdst.net www.shrewsburyhigh.gdst.net