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Western canon
Cultural classics valued in the West / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Western canon is the body of high-culture literature, music, philosophy, and works of art that are highly valued in the West, works that have achieved the status of classics.
![]() | This article possibly contains original research. (December 2021) |
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Recent discussions on it emphasize cultural diversity within the canon. The canons of music and visual arts have broadened to encompass overlooked periods, while newer media like cinema grapple with a precarious position. Criticism arises, with some viewing changes as prioritizing activism over aesthetic values, often associated with Marxist critical theory.[1] Another critique highlights a narrow interpretation of the West, dominated by British and American culture, prompting calls for a more diverse canon.[1]