The Canon

A Presentation by: Marcus Jimenez

In modern literature study, the "best”,

"most important" or "most representative" works of secular literature which anchor the study of English and American literature.

What is the Canon?

The philosopher John Searle once said, “In my

experience there never was, in fact, a fixed 'canon'; there was rather a certain set of tentative judgments about what had importance and quality. Such judgments are always subject to revision, and in fact they were constantly being revised.””

One attempt at compiling a canon was the Harvard Classics. “The greatest university is a collection of books” –Thomas Carlyle

Another notable attempt was the Great Books of the Western World program that offered a reading lists, books, and organizational strategies to the public.

How was it developed?

Major College Anthologies in America. To appear in the Norton or Oxford anthology is

considered to be an achievement of status and accessibility to a reading public. This does not admit one into a sense of “greatness.”

Who decides the Canon?

The Canon has been challenged and changed

over history. Time periods: 1920’s by Lionel Trilling and Oscar Handlin (Ivy

League Scholars) 1960’s when cultural change brought the

concerns of women, minorities, gays and Marxist liberals to the forefront of literary study

Several texts have sparked reevaluations in the English curriculum over time

Does the Canon Change Over Time?

In the 1920’s it was changed by Jewish

Intellectuals In the 1960’s it changed to reflect the growing

involvement of women, minorities, gays and Marxist liberals in the forefront of literary study

Several times it has been considered for change but never got changed, only debated.

How has it changed?

Macbeth Lord of the Flies The Odyssey

Examples: