I thought I’d share my definition of a classic, that actually ended up being similar to Benjamin’s definition:

(taken directly from my free-writing exercise in class):

A classic stands the test of time. Continues to be influential with the changes in culture, has something important to say in different eras, applies to a broad range of readers, inspires future study and analyzation, scholars are never “finished” with the classic because it is infinitely interesting.  Whenever classic literature is mentioned, I think of Moby Dick, A Tale of Two Cities, Huck Finn, etc. 

I wonder what great works of literature from my generation will be considered classics? It seems that to be classic, you have to last a long time. So time then has to pass.  Yet we already have classic rock and classic movies that were produced in the 20th century (?)