Listen up! These classic titles might have a thing or two to teach you

Ask any great thinker, teacher or author and they’ll tell you that listening to classic literature teaches us incredible life lessons. It lets us observe things in a way we might not have considered before. These works empower us to navigate life’s big choices by considering how the classic characters of literature navigated theirs.

open a door to other experiences beyond our own, which allows us to gain a deeper and more complete understanding of life’s challenges by walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.

At Audible, we’re always excited to introduce our listeners to classic from the brightest literary minds. Below, we explore three incredible titles and the life lessons they can teach us.

by Harper Lee

This all-time classic is beloved by generations of readers and now Audible offers an audiobook rendition that truly captures the soaring spirit of this timeless gem. Narrated by the legendary Sissy Spacek, this title introduces listeners to the narrator Scout and her father Atticus Finch, one of the most beloved literary icons of all time. But listeners are also treated to the important life lessons Atticus imparts to his daughter.

The most important lesson this title teaches listeners is that we need to follow our own moral codes, regardless of the opinions of others. Atticus explains to Scout that he has to defend Tom Robinson — the accused man at the centre of the story — and act as his attorney regardless of what the other residents of the mostly white town of Maycomb think. Atticus maintains that you must always do the right thing, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.

Never Judge a Book by its Cover

Atticus’ advice to Scout not to be fooled by surface impressions is another important lesson that echoes through the audiobook. Characters like Boo Radley turn out to be very different from the way the town perceives them. Scout comes to see that Boo is gentle and kind, and also possesses great bravery when he saves Scout from danger.

To Kill a Mockingbird’s Atticus Finch proves that in times of turmoil, it’s vitally important to try and see the world from the perspective of others before passing judgement and to do the right thing even — and especially — when it’s not easy.

by Jane Austen

Harper Lee wasn’t the first author to show us that first impressions are shallow. The same can be said of Elizabeth and how she perceives her romantic counterpart, Mr. Darcy, in Jane Austen’s classic, Pride & Prejudice – narrated with perfect ironic candour by the stellar Rosamund Pyke.
At first, many listeners might be put off by Mr. Darcy. While his wealth and good looks make him an eligible bachelor, he is rude, arrogant and lacks a great deal of social grace.