One important feature of classic literature is that it often reflects an author's own experiences and can，therefore，help us understand the important issues of his or her time.This is one reason the best works of literature still appeal to readers long after they（write） in ancient times.Cao Xueqin's A Dream of Red Mansions，one of the most significant （novel） in Chinese literature，is a good example of this. （it） storyline follows the fall of a large wealthy family much like the author's own.No doubt drawing his own experiences，Cao Xueqin gives a detailed description oflife was like at that time.The novel contains a great number of details such as what the upper class（wear） and ate.It also describes the social relations in 18th﹣century China.（consequent），readers are capable of better（understand） the gap between rich and poor，men and women，the learned and the uneducated in the historical context.Cultural and historical elements like these make A Dream of Red Mansions timeless classic.In summary，we can learn much about a specific period in history from classic literature.
