Calvino’s essay, “Why Read the Classics?” is organized logically. Each topic consists of one or two paragraphs that are devoted only to that topic; there are no irrelevant subjects throughout the essay, which is characteristic of logical organization. Each topic also takes form as a definition that introduces each paragraph. The essay consists of fourteen definitions, which build the reader’s interest until Calvino finally introduces the most important topic of the entire work. This is when he finally discusses what sort of books your personal library of classics should hold. He suggests to readers that one half of their library should contain books that have a special meaning to them, to be reread again and again, only to achieve “as much of a sense of discovery as the first reading.” He tells us that the other half of the library should hold those books that we hope to someday read, and there should also be of course some empty shelf space specifically reserved for the purpose of adding more classics to our ‘ideal library.’ After this, Calvino reflects back on his essay and expresses some concerns about things that he has left out. He informs us that classics really serve no purpose but “reading the classics is always better than not reading them.” By doing this, he is giving us some last bit of information while adding to the personal tone of this essay.
Calvino, Italo. "Why Read the Classics?" Why Read the Classics? London: Vintage, 2000. 5-8. Print.
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