Western canon

The Western canon is a canon of books and art (and specifically one with very loose boundaries) that has allegedly been highly influential in shaping Western culture. The selection of a canon is important to the theory of educational perennialism.

Works

Works which are commonly included in the canon include works of fiction such as epic poems, poetry, music, drama, novels, and other assorted forms of literature from the many, diverse Western (and more recently non-Western) cultures. Many non-fiction works are also listed, primarily from the areas of religion, science, philosophy, economics, politics, and history.

Related Topics:
Fiction - Epic poem - Poetry - Music - Drama - Novel - Literature - Culture - Religion - Science - Philosophy - Economics - Politics - History

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Works which directly address the canon (both for and against):

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• The History of Western Literature by Otto Maria Carpeaux
• Shakespeare by Harold Bloom
• The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages by Harold Bloom
• The Dead Father by Donald Barthelme