By Joonho Rider-Lee

Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote is perhaps one of the most influential pieces of Western literature ever written. Following the Bible, Don Quixote is the most translated book in the world and is read in most Spanish-speaking countries. Much like Shakespeare, Cervantes addresses themes of unity, the human condition, and heroic idealism in Don Quixote. Cervantes strays from the beaten path by directly critiquing Spanish imperialism. This is in extreme contrast to Shakespeare’s novels, which are written from a purely colonial perspective. 

Wu Cheng’en’s Journey to the West is a 16th-century Chinese novel that again touches on many of the same themes that Shakepseare discusses. Journey to the West is arguably the most popular piece of East Asian literature ever written. It is so influential that it can easily be compared to Don Quixote or Romeo and Juliet. 

There is no absence of other equally noteworthy and impressive works from writers around the world. Yet, in most US high schools, we spend a large chunk of time each year returning to Shakespeare. Shakespeare is undoubtedly the most important writer in the English language. But why should students be limited by the English language? And why shouldn’t we diversify our high school reading lists?

Ultimately, English class should use written materials to help students study and understand other cultures and lives. While reading Shakespeare one year is great, freeing up the other three years offers a chance for students to read other classics. The study of other cultures should be an integral part of English class to help create more open-minded students.