Calvino- Authority

Question #7

The author of “Why We Read the Classics” has every authority as a writer. Italo Calvino wrote his essay with the purpose of communicating his knowledge to others in an insightful, impactful essay. Calvino realizes that a simple statement will not get his message across to readers, so he uses his knowledge, skill, and authority as a writer to compose an essay that would grab the reader’s attention with powerful statements, aid their understanding of the piece with precise definitions, and use the insightful concluding paragraphs to leave readers with something to think about. Calvino is a credible author because he himself has read the classics and understands how wonderful they can be.

Authority does not always come with knowledge. Instead, an author’s authority comes from understanding. We do not read the essay “Why We Read the Classics” because Calvino was able to pull together fifteen different definitions that make a vague attempt to actually define a classic work of literature. Yes, knowledge of literature created those definitions. However, knowledge does not give Calvino his authority. He understands the connection, the bond that a reader has with his or her favorite classic. “’Your’ classic… helps you define yourself.” It is this understanding that gives Calvino his unquestionable authority to capture our attention, adjust our opinions, and reform our understanding.

Calvino, Italo. "Why Read the Classics." Lecture.