Why can't people who write introductions for classics write them well?

[NarpasSword]

So I was reading the introduction in my copy of The Scarlett Letter and the writer of the introduction uses these pretty big words that I'm always having to get a dictionary for. But that's not my main problem. The writer also gives away the fact that Reverend Dimmesdale is Hester Prynne's lover and Pearl's father. Isn't the purpose of an introduction to give information about the book's history and context AS WELL AS to get the reader to like the book before they get started?
Well, you've got a point there, Lomax. But some classics are more famous than others. Ask any random 5th grader what Romeo and Juliet's about and they could probably tell you. And ask any random 5th grader what The Scarlet (oh whoops, I spelled Scarlet with two ts, darn) Letter's about and they'd probably ask you, "what's that?"

 

[EveninArcadia]

No. Many introductions of Classics assume that you are already acquainted with the work/writer. For example, I bought a collection of short stories by a writer I like, and the introduction included not only information from the stories but novels by the writer which were not in the book. The purpose of the introduction varies, depending on what the person who introduces the book feels is most important.

 

[Lomax]

I presume that your complaint is that the introduction gives away an important plot point.

I suppose that the first question we need to ask it "What is the purpose of an introduction?" I venture the opinion that it is - inter alia - to set the novel (and the author) in its historical and literary context, and to explain why the work is regarded as a classic and considered worthy of reading many years (or centuries) after its original composition.

I would suggest that t is very difficult to write such an introduction without discussing the novel in some detail - and that includes the plot.

I have seen introductions that make it clear to new readers that the plot will be discussed - and I would suggest that if that bothers you, you should read the novel first and the introduction second.

Having said that, most classics are so "out there" that most people are pretty much aware of the plot even if they haven't read the book. Even those who've never read Moby Dick know that it's about Ahab's pursuit of the white whale....