I have been cherishing a deep interest in English literature for a long time. I remember the first English novel I tried to read is a simple version of Great Expectations. I really felt proud of myself when I fininshed reading. But at that time, I didn’t have much pocket money to buy as many English books as I wished. This book, little as it was, had planted a seed in my heart----a seed that quietly began to shou out. I think maybe that was the beginning of my love towards English literature, which later became my life’s dearest companion.

    In college, I sometimes skipped classes in order to follow the courses of English major, but most of the time, I learnt by myself. Because of this, my knowledge of English literature is not so systematical. But this didn’t affect me, and it was during that time that I got to know those giants in literature:

    Milton, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Dickens…and those great works, running from their dexterous hands, are like roaring torrents rushing with tremendous strength from the long long history river of human kind.

    I was even scared! I felt like an innocent child kneeling under the high dome of a cathedral, with those giants solemnly erect around. My heart quickly beating and eyes widely open, I didn’t realize what an amazing kingdom I had discovered! Without hesitation, I plunged into it: thus, a brand new horizen stretched in front of me:

    In Pride&Prejudice, I found my favourite heroine: Elizabeth, who has a cheerful spirit and a brave heart to pursue her love----I also found Mr. Darcy the prototype of an ideal husband;

    I shed tears when Esmeralda, a beautiful and innocent girl, perished under the selfishness and cruelty of the bishop of Notre Dame; though it was a French novel, I cannot bear not mentioning it here;

    I realized from Lady Chatterley’s Lover that with the rapide spread of cold machines, how we human beings lack warm and close touch with each other;

    I am also grateful to Hawthorne and Poe, for the horrific but appealing Gothic novels they’ve created…

    I really think it's a pity that people nowdays pay much attention to those books featuring on fast track to success. There is also a survey revealing that Chinese people only read 4 books per person every year, while western people read more than 20. Next time you step into a bookstore, please cast a glance at the long-forgotten classic literature----it’s treasure of human kind----and not out of your reach.