[Huck]

It provides an interesting glimpse of a pagan society through Christian eyes (Grendel and his mother are described as descendants of Cain, for example).

Then it might have some use in a history class. But it's worthless as literature, particularly for 21st century teens. Totally pointless, and will only serve to turn them off to reading, literature, English class, and school.

[Brujo]

So do you believe that prose renditions of, e.g., “The Odyssey” are worthless as literature for 21st century teens? Are any of the previously recognized classics worthy enough?

[dooltotheend]

So, is it your position that students should dictate (1) what is important to teach and (2) what should be read to support (1). I don’t accept the premise that, in this “Game Boy” age, students can’t be required to read things of more substance than comic books and left wing sloganeering. School is supposed to facilitate learning about real life, discerning fact from fiction and thinking. Little or none of that is going on in most public schools today. When I went to school there was no requirement that I think a certain way. The only requirement was that I think. Of course, this did not apply to morality, civility and ethics. These areas, unlike today, were viewed to be absolutes—not relative to individuals or groups. There was a commom understanding of what these things meant; and a general concensus that they were essential for societal perpetuation. Of course, these are precisely the areas the left incessantly attacks. Why? To break down society and create the chaos necessary for it to emerge from the ashes with a monopoly on power.

[Antoninus]

But it's worthless as literature, particularly for 21st century teens. Totally pointless, and will only serve to turn them off to reading, literature, English class, and school.

Maybe the ones who aren't cut out to be good readers. Most of the homeschooled kids I know have read Beowulf in translation by age 10 or so. And they are serious readers.