I’m dating myself here, but when I was in middle and high school, my late time viewing was often Nick at Nite. I watched The Donna Reed Show, Bewitched, My Three Sons, and The Munsters – shows from the 1950s and 60s. I found the shows…relaxing in a way, and I also felt a little more connected to my parents, like watching these shows before I was born helped me understand them a little more. With YouTube, Hulu, and other streaming services our students have this kind of faux nostalgia times 10. The whole history of popular television and film is right there in the palm of their hands.

The Phenomenon of Time Neutrality

When students can binge-watch entire decades in a weekend, the concept of “retro” has taken on a whole new meaning. This phenomenon of nostalgia in literature offers educators a unique opportunity to bridge generational gaps and make classic literature more accessible than ever before.

Welcome to the world of the “time-neutral student,” where the 1980s, 1990s, and 2010s all blur together in a nostalgic haze of “old stuff that happened before I was born.” Thanks to streaming services and digital archives, today’s students exist in a state of “time neutrality,” where content from any era is equally accessible and relevant.

This shift allows us to draw parallels between classic literature and pop culture from various decades, creating a rich tapestry of connections that can enhance understanding and engagement. Gone are the days when pop culture references were generation-specific. 

And in our classrooms, filled with the echoes of centuries of storytelling, we have the perfect opportunity to stop, look around, and connect the dots across generations of human experience.

Pinterest: A Time Machine for Gen Z

An intriguing example of this time neutrality can be seen in how Gen Z interacts with platforms like Pinterest. Despite being born in the digital age, Gen Z makes up a significant portion of Pinterest users – around 42%. What’s fascinating is how they use the platform: not searching for specific brands or eras, but curating content based on aesthetics and ideas that resonate with them, regardless of when that content was created.

This Pinterest phenomenon perfectly encapsulates the time-neutral mindset and the role of nostalgia in literature. 

A Gen Z user might pin a 1950s dress next to a contemporary minimalist interior and a Victorian tea set, creating a personal aesthetic that transcends traditional notions of time and trend. This approach to consuming and curating content mirrors how we can approach literature in the classroom – not as isolated products of their time, but as part of a continuum of human expression and experience.

By understanding this time-neutral approach to content consumption, we as educators can better frame classic literature not as “old” or “outdated,” but as part of the same rich tapestry of human storytelling that includes modern retellings and adaptations. Just as a Pinterest board might juxtapose vintage and contemporary elements, we can encourage students to see classic literature alongside its modern counterparts, drawing connections and finding relevance across eras through the lens of nostalgia in literature.

The Psychology of Nostalgia in Literature Education

But why does this approach work? The answer lies in the fascinating psychology of nostalgia in literature. Far from being mere sentimental longing, research has shown that nostalgia plays a crucial role in how we connect with others and find meaning in our experiences.

Nostalgia and Social Connectedness

A groundbreaking study by Wildschut et al. (2006) explored the triggers and functions of nostalgia, revealing that it often leads to increased feelings of social connectedness. The researchers found that nostalgia enhances perceptions of social support, which is particularly relevant when discussing how students connect with different eras through pop culture and classic literature. By tapping into these nostalgic feelings, we can help students feel more connected to the characters and themes in classic works, bridging the gap between their modern experiences and the historical contexts of the literature.

The Power of ‘Fauxstalgia’

Interestingly, young people can experience what some researchers call “fauxstalgia” – a nostalgic feeling for eras they never lived through. Havlena and Holak (1991) discussed this phenomenon in the context of consumer behavior, noting how people can feel nostalgic for times they never experienced. This concept aligns perfectly with our “time-neutral students” who, through the consumption of retro media and reboots, feel connected to eras they didn’t live through. By leveraging this fauxstalgia, we can help students engage more deeply with historical settings and contexts in literature.

Nostalgia isn’t just for those of us who lived through a particular era. Thanks to the cyclical nature of pop culture trends, even our youngest students can experience a form of “borrowed nostalgia” for times they never knew. We can leverage this emotional connection to make classic literature more relatable and engaging.

Nostalgia as a Tool for Meaning-Making

Routledge et al. (2013) explored how nostalgia can contribute to psychological health by increasing feelings of meaning in life. Their research suggests that nostalgic experiences can help individuals find coherence and meaning, which we can apply to how students engage with classic literature. Tieing familiar pop culture references to classic works can potentially help students find deeper meaning and relevance in these texts.

Bridging Generational Gaps

In his work on nostalgia, Davis (1979) discussed how nostalgia can serve as a bridge between different generations, providing a way for younger people to connect with the experiences of older generations. This supports our approach of using pop culture nostalgia to make classic literature more relatable to students. By drawing parallels between contemporary reboots and classic works, we’re creating a shared language that spans generations, a vital element of nostalgia in literature.

Enhancing Emotional Engagement

Sedikides et al. (2008) outlined the emotional effects of nostalgia, showing how it can enhance positive emotions and reduce stress. More importantly for our purposes, they discussed how nostalgia can increase emotional engagement with content. This is the heart of nostalgia in literature. By connecting classic literature with nostalgic pop culture elements, we can potentially increase students’ emotional engagement with the texts, leading to deeper understanding and appreciation.

The Reboot Renaissance

If you’ve turned on a TV lately, you’ve probably noticed that everything old is new again. Gossip Girl is back, Fresh Prince got a gritty makeover, and Stranger Things has us all longing for the 1980s – even those of us who weren’t born yet.

This reboot renaissance isn’t just giving us fresh takes on old favorites. It’s creating a unique cultural landscape where time periods blur together, and suddenly, the themes of classic literature don’t seem so distant anymore. It’s like they’re living in a pop culture smoothie, where the 1950s, 1980s, and 2020s are all blended into one delicious, if slightly confusing, mix. This blending of time periods is a rich opportunity for educators to explore nostalgia in literature and make timeless themes resonate more strongly with students.

Leveraging Time Neutrality and Reboots in Literature Education

Why This Works: The Magic of Modern Nostalgia in Literature

You might be wondering, “Why go through all this trouble? Can’t we just read the books?” Sure, we could. But here’s why this reboot-classic combo is literary gold:

1. It’s familiar yet fresh: Reboots offer a comfortable entry point into unfamiliar literary territories. It’s like literary training wheels, but cool.
2. It bridges generational gaps: Suddenly, you and your students have a shared cultural reference point. You’re not just the old person trying to make them read dusty old books.
3. It provides modern context: Reboots often update themes for contemporary audiences, helping students see how classic issues are still relevant today.
4. It develops media literacy: Comparing reboots to originals (and to classic literature) helps students think critically about how stories are told and retold.
5. It’s just plain fun: Let’s face it, comparing Jughead Jones from Riverdale to Reverend Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter is an entertaining spin on traditional literary analysis.

Making Classic Themes Relevant through Nostalgia in Literature

When Gatsby’s lavish parties don’t seem that different from the soirées in “Gossip Girl,” or when the social pressures in “The Scarlet Letter” echo the rumors flying around Riverdale High, students can more easily grasp the timeless nature of these themes. Suddenly, you’ve hit on a key aspect of nostalgia in literature: analyzing classic literature isn’t about decoding an ancient, inscrutable text – recognizing the familiar in the unfamiliar.

Bridging the Gap: When Reboots Meet the Classics

Girl Meets World Meets Coming-of-Age Classics

Speaking of time-blending TV magic, let’s not forget about Girl Meets World. If you haven’t caught this gem, it’s the sequel series to the 90s classic Boy Meets World, and creates a generational sandwich, following the adventures of Cory and Topanga’s daughter, Riley.

This show is a goldmine for bridging generational gaps and exploring nostalgia in literature. It’s got the parents who grew up in the 90s, their Gen Z kids, and even appearances from the original series’ characters. It’s like a time-traveling family reunion!

Nostalgic Literary Connections

Here’s where it gets exciting for us literature enthusiasts. Girl Meets World tackles coming-of-age themes that pair perfectly with classic bildungsroman novels. Consider these potential pairings:

1. Girl Meets World and The Catcher in the Rye
2. Girl Meets World and The Poet X
3. Girl Meets World and We Were Liars

The Reboots Classics Matchmaking Game

Try this: Have students compare Riley’s experiences with those of Holden Caulfield, Xiomara Batista, or Cadence Sinclair. How do the challenges of growing up change (or stay the same) across generations? This approach not only engages students but also deepens their understanding of nostalgia in literature. 

The best part? You can pull examples from both “Boy Meets World” and “Girl Meets World” to show how these themes evolve over time. This approach allows students to see how the core experiences of growing up remain universal, even as specific challenges evolve.

The success of pairing Girl Meets World with classic coming-of-age literature opens up a world of possibilities. Let’s explore how we can further use this reboot mania to our advantage in the classroom with a few more matchmaking examples:

1. Gossip Girl (2021) meets The Great Gatsby

Imagine Blair Waldorf and Jay Gatsby at the same party. The scandal! The intrigue! The incredibly expensive cocktails! Both stories explore the glittering facades of high society and the moral bankruptcy that often lurks beneath. 

Try this: Have students compare the social media gossip in the new Gossip Girl to the rumors that swirl around Gatsby. How does technology change the way secrets spread and reputations are made (or destroyed)?

2. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The Crucible

Witches, moral panic, and teenage rebellion? It’s a match made in… well, maybe not heaven, but certainly in a very dramatically lit TV writer’s room. Both stories deal with the fear of the unknown and the consequences of bucking societal norms.

Activity idea: Ask students to compare how witchcraft is perceived in Salem versus in Greendale. How do the stakes (pun intended) differ for the accused in each setting?

3. Riverdale meets The Scarlet Letter

Small town. Big secrets. Sound familiar? Both narratives peel back the veneer of a seemingly idyllic community to reveal the darkness underneath. Plus, they both have some truly questionable parenting decisions.

Discussion starter: How does the treatment of scandal in Riverdale compare to the punishment Hester faces in The Scarlet Letter? How have societal norms around shame and punishment evolved?

4. Bel-Air meets Great Expectations

From West Philadelphia born and raised… to Bel-Air? It’s not quite Victorian England, but Will’s fish-out-of-water story in “Bel-Air” has more in common with Pip’s journey than you might think. Both narratives explore class differences, identity, and the complexities of social mobility.

Writing prompt: Compare Will’s adjustment to Bel-Air with Pip’s experiences in London. How do both characters grapple with their identities in their new environments?

Benefits of This Juxtaposed Approach

1. Increased student engagement: By connecting classic themes to familiar modern content through nostalgic in literature maks students are more invested in the material.
2. Development of critical thinking and media literacy skills: Comparing works across eras encourages students to analyze how stories are told and retold.
3. Bridging generational gaps: This approach creates shared reference points between educators and students.
4. Fostering a lifelong appreciation for literature: By making classic works feel relevant, we encourage students to continue exploring literature beyond the classroom.

Making It Work in Your Classroom

Now, before you scrap your entire curriculum in favor of binge-watching sessions, let’s talk about how to implement this strategy effectively:

1. Choose wisely: Not all reboots are created equal. Pick shows that have substantive themes that genuinely connect to your texts.
2. Provide context: Make sure students understand the historical context of both the classic text and the original TV show. 
3. Focus on themes, not plot: The storylines might be wildly different, but the underlying themes often have intriguing similarities.
4. Encourage critical thinking: Ask students to consider why certain elements were changed in the reboot. What does this say about our current society?
5. Don’t force it: If a comparison feels too stretched, it probably is. Not every classic needs a modern TV counterpart.

When Time Periods Collide: The Beauty of Blurred Boundaries

Your students might be rocking bell-bottoms they bought last week while watching a show set in the 1990s that’s referencing the 1950s. This time-blurring effect means that when you introduce a classic text, you’re not asking students to teleport to a completely foreign time and place. Instead, you’re inviting them to explore another flavor in the cultural smoothie they’re already sipping.

It’s enough to make a history teacher’s head spin! But for English teachers? It’s a golden opportunity to leverage nostalgia in literature.

So the next time a student says, “Why do we have to learn about old stuff?”, you can smile and say, “Old? Have you seen what’s on Netflix lately?” After all, in this brave new world of reboots and revivals, everything old is new again – and that includes the classics on your syllabus.

References

1. Davis, Fred. Yearning for Yesterday: A Sociology of Nostalgia. Free Press, 1979.
2. Havlena, William J., and Susan L. Holak. “‘The Good Old Days’: Observations on Nostalgia and Its Role in Consumer Behavior.” Advances in Consumer Research, vol. 18, no. 1, 1991, pp. 323-329.
3. Routledge, Clay, et al. “Nostalgia as a Resource for Psychological Health and Well-Being.” Social and Personality Psychology Compass, vol. 7, no. 11, 2013, pp. 808-818.
4. Sedikides, Constantine, et al. “Nostalgia: Past, Present, and Future.” Current Directions in Psychological Science, vol. 17, no. 5, 2008, pp. 304-307.
5. Wildschut, Tim, et al. “Nostalgia: Content, Triggers, Functions.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 91, no. 5, 2006, pp. 975-993.