Oh, literature class. Maybe you slept through it or mindlessly scrolled through Facebook. Maybe you skipped it every day. Or maybe you listened to your professor’s synopsis or analysis of symbols and characters. Maybe you understood the story line or the main concept. Maybe you read Sparknotes or skimmed over what your quizzes were on, but these are 19 life lessons that you probably missed only found deep within their words and pages.

1. A Tale of Two Cities

Sometimes, it’s the people who no one thinks anything of that will make the biggest difference in your life.

2. The Catcher in the Rye

You can't save everyone. And you have to forgive yourself for that.

3. Great Expectations

Revenge and bitterness will destroy you.

4. Wuthering Heights

Our choices haunt the world long after we're gone.

5. As I Lay Dying

You can't rely on other people to tell you the truth. You have to find it for yourself.

6. Hamlet

Death is uncertain. But so is life.

7. The Outsiders

Children are not exempt from the world's prejudice, pain and cruelties.

8. The Great Gatsby

You have to move on.

9. The Road

The destination doesn't change you, the journey does.

10. The Picture of Dorian Gray

True ugliness can only be found on the inside.

11. Their Eyes Were Watching God

There are different seasons of life. Some are joyful and warm and some are cruel and cold.

12. Leaves of Grass

You are more than the world gives you credit for.

13. Heart of Darkness

Sometimes, people will disguise the most immense darkness as the light. Don't be deceived by it.

14. The Count of Monte Cristo

You can't run away from who you are.

15. Howl

No one is ever alone. Not the high school dropouts or the drug addicts. And definitely not you.

16. To Kill A Mockingbird

People are afraid of what they don't understand. Be better than that.

17. The Sun Also Rises

You should never underestimate the selfishness of other people. You can't be blind to the real world.

18. Dracula

The darkness may give you power and strength. But it takes away much more.

19. The Scarlet Letter

Religion isn't always the path to righteousness. Sometimes you find the light within your own soul.