: Is it really beneficial to have work put into a Canon so that it is taught all over the world in Schools and tertiary institutions? It may not be, because it takes the "love" out of reading a work, and forces people to read it for the grades. I've seen hundreds of people (and some here, apparantly) who hate the works of such authors as Shakespeare, Milton, Donne, Chaucer etc. because they were forced into reading them at school/university and so, as a consequence, never got the full meaning/potential out of their great works.

: Sure, a work being put into a Canon will ensure that it survives and is taught years (and even centuries) down the line, but is it worth it? I dread the day when I hear a school kid saying: "I hate Tolkien; It's so boring, and that teacher that teaches it...she's such a retard!"

: That's about it from me, any thoughts?

Yes, it's a double edge sword in many ways. I remember teachers who made history dry and boring, and one who brought it alive for me. In the end it comes down to who's teaching.

Another thing I think all of us would dread is seeing some group protesting the teaching of Tolkien because they believe he is racist, sexist etc.