Lav, while I agree people should read "classics", I don't think it should be forced on them. Education's outlook on Literature is abysmal; the academic approach to such an intricate artform tends to dissect it down in some kind of mathematical way, and makes it boring for those who aren't really interested, and too fussy for those who are.

Reading, I think, is the goal; to push people in set directions beyond that will maintain a sense of highbrow pretentiousness, lack of individual personality, and keeping things strictly in the box. Imposing "classic" Literature over anything is as restricting as religion; I would find it much more rewarding a subject if the students were allowed to read whatever book they liked, in the hope of conjuring some real passion for the work, and from that try to broaden their minds.

What do you think?

And, by the way, what did you teach? I never knew all this time that I had a crush on a teacher. :p