The value of reading a literary classic in its entirety, rather than a mere summary, hinges on a reader’s purpose. For those seeking to gain a profound understanding of society and human nature, the meticulous study of a primary text is indispensable. This approach is rooted in a fundamental difference between literary and scientific works: while the core value of a scientific text often lies in its conclusions, the essence of a literary work is contained within its intricate details.
The purpose of literature, as classical theory suggests, is to provide both amusement and edification. The complex emotions a reader experiences from engaging with a text’s details provide the amusement, while the insights gained about society and human character offer edification. A simple plot summary, devoid of these rich descriptions, cannot evoke the same emotional engagement or provide the deep, nuanced understanding that comes from seeing characters navigate complex situations in a detailed social world.
The importance of this engagement with detail is best illustrated by specific examples. The plots of Shakespeare’s plays, for instance, can often feel formulaic or even melodramatic. Yet, the enduring power of his works does not lie in their narratives but in their profound exploration of universal human themes. By meticulously reading his words, we encounter his elegant and precise language and witness his masterful portrayal of human nature, which, as he wrote in Troilus and Cressida, “makes the whole world kin.”
Similarly, James Boswell’s The Life of Samuel Johnson, widely considered one of the finest biographies in English, is far from a dry summary. Its value lies in the details—the witty conversations and anecdotes that vividly bring the 18th-century London literary scene to life. By immersing ourselves in this world, we gain insights not just into that specific era, but into the timeless dynamics of human interaction and society, which transcend place and time.
This makes a compelling case for reading literary classics as a form of self-education. For those who lack extensive social experience, literary realism serves as a practical textbook for understanding social dynamics and human behavior. Learning these lessons through real-world trial and error can be costly and inefficient. In contrast, the detailed, vivid accounts in great literature offer a low-cost, high-impact way to encounter experiences we may never face in our own lives. As the novelist Henry Fielding once famously countered a historian, “My books are true in everything but their names and dates; and your books are true in nothing but their names and dates.” He eloquently captured the essence of realist literature: it provides an honest portrayal of the human condition.