A literary masterpiece is a piece of work that can withstand the test of time. What this means is that a particular piece of literary work can still be able to provoke a person’s thoughts and capture the interest of the readers all throughout the years that have passed, despite everything that goes on in the world around us and all of the current events that have and will take place.

The topics and themes of these literary works will always hold true to their original purpose that was intended by the author and yet they will still connect with the people, as they originally did. For the purpose of this paper, I will explain what I expect literary masterpieces to be, I will explain the qualities that I expect them to have prior to completing the English 106 course, the experiences that I have personally had with literary masterpieces, as well as the contexts in which these experiences have taken place.

I expect literary masterpieces to be written in an old fashion style. The reason that I expect this is because literary masterpieces are something that can withstand periods of time, therefore they were written at a much earlier time, and most likely the way that one speaks and writes at that time will differ from the way that people speak and write in today’s day and age.

Although I expect some literary masterpieces to be dull and even painful, simply because they were written at a time that I am not necessarily familiar with an cannot relate too, I also expect them to be somewhat pleasant and beautiful, because after all, these literary masterpieces were written at a much earlier date but are still able to provoke our thoughts and capture the interest of the people today. Therefore this must mean that the literary masterpieces are pleasant and maybe even considered to be fun.

Throughout all of my high school years, and even in the years between high school and college, I have had some experiences with some literary masterpieces. Some examples of the literary masterpieces that I have encountered are Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet (both of which are by Shakespeare), Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Dracula by Bram Stoker and a few other literary masterpieces. Dracula and Romeo and Juliet were among my favorites.

I think that the contents of these literary masterpieces helped my understanding and appreciation by allowing me to relate to the works on a personal level, as well as provide some entertainment to me. I also think that certain characteristics, such as being beautifully written, relevant to most (regardless of the date that they were written), relatable, etc. The authors of literary masterpieces have to have the intention of affecting the heart of a person.

I think that these are characteristics that make a great literary masterpiece and these are some of the characteristics that I would expect a literary masterpiece to focus on. These literary masterpieces that I have mentioned, as well as literary masterpieces that I did not mention, are very important because in their own way, they are influential to many and help shape the minds of the readers. I think that because these literary masterpieces are so influential, that they affect modern society.

For example, William Shakespeare has several literary masterpieces and they are still being made into movies, reenacted as plays, and discussed all throughout schools, at different grade levels, to this day. Romeo and Juliet, first published in 1597, is being made into a movie this year 2013. Overall, literary masterpieces are writings that can stand the test of time. These pieces can be written at any date and still be thought provoking, relevant and interesting regardless of the years that have passed since they were written.

They can be beautifully written, or painful to read, depending on the particular literary masterpiece. They are thought provoking and interesting, regardless of the years that have passed since they were written. Literary masterpieces are relevant, relatable and written in a way that affects the reader on a personal level. They are influential and important. This is the beliefs and expectations that I have of literary masterpieces.