World Literature

Definition of World Literature

World Literature refers to a body of literary works that transcend national and cultural boundaries, embodying a global perspective on human experiences, values, and narratives. It encompasses texts from diverse languages, cultures, and historical periods, fostering a deep understanding of the shared human condition.

It reflects the universality of themes and ideas that resonate with readers worldwide, highlighting the interconnectedness of different cultures and societies through storytelling. It also emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural dialogue, recognition of global literary influences, and the study of literary works beyond their original contexts to promote a richer understanding of humanity’s diverse and common experiences.

Idea of World Literature

1. Transcultural Perspective:
   • It extends beyond national and cultural boundaries, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human experiences across the globe.
2. Diverse Languages and Cultures:
   • It encompasses literary works from a wide range of languages, cultures, and historical periods, fostering a global understanding of humanity’s rich tapestry.
3. Global Human Experience:
   • It also reflects the universality of themes and narratives that resonate with readers worldwide, emphasizing shared values and emotions.
4. Cross-Cultural Dialogue:
   • It promotes the exchange of ideas and influences between different literary traditions, enriching the global literary landscape.
5. Recognition of Influences:
   • World Literature acknowledges the impact of one culture’s literary heritage on another, celebrating the global circulation of ideas.
6. Study Beyond Original Contexts:
   • It involves the examination of literary works in translation, allowing readers to appreciate the beauty and depth of texts from diverse backgrounds.
7. Enriched Understanding:
   • The idea deepen our understanding of human diversity while recognizing the common threads that unite us.
8. Literary Globalization:
   • It highlights the ways in which literature can transcend geographical borders and contribute to a global cultural conversation.

World Literature: Origin, Main Exponents, Works and Arguments

Origin:

The concept of World Literature can be traced back to ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks, who appreciated and adapted literary works from various cultures. However, the term “World Literature” as a formal academic discipline gained prominence during the 19th century.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s idea of “Weltliteratur” (world literature) in the early 19th century emphasized the importance of transcultural literary exchange. This concept was further developed by scholars like Hugo Meltzl and Friedrich Gundolf, leading to its widespread adoption as a field of study in the 20th century.

Main Exponents:

1. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: As one of the early proponents of World Literature, Goethe’s ideas laid the foundation for the discipline. His concept of Weltliteratur emphasized the global exchange of literary works.
2. Erich Auerbach: Auerbach’s work, particularly “Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature,” contributed to the understanding of how literature reflects universal human experiences and values.
3. David Damrosch: Damrosch is a contemporary scholar known for his efforts to define and promote World Literature as an academic field. His book “What Is World Literature?” is a significant contribution to the subject.

Works and Arguments:

1. “Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature” by Erich Auerbach: Auerbach’s seminal work argues that Western literature, despite its diversity, reflects universal truths and human experiences. It traces the representation of reality in Western literary works, highlighting their shared themes and archetypes.
2. “What Is World Literature?” by David Damrosch: In this book, Damrosch defines World Literature and argues for the importance of studying literature from diverse cultures. He suggests that World Literature offers a broader perspective on human experiences and can be a bridge between different societies.
3. “Goethe and World Literature” by Hans Rudolf Vaget: This book explores Goethe’s role in the development of the concept of World Literature. It delves into Goethe’s engagement with international literature and his vision of a global literary exchange.
4. “The Norton Anthology of World Literature” (Various Editors): This anthology features a wide selection of literary works from around the world, illustrating the idea of World Literature. It presents texts from diverse cultures, emphasizing the universality of human themes and experiences.

The argument underlying World Literature is that literary works from different cultures and languages can offer valuable insights into the human condition, shared emotions, and universal themes. It challenges the idea that literature is limited by geographical and cultural boundaries, emphasizing the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. World Literature invites readers to appreciate the interconnectedness of the global literary heritage and recognize the enduring relevance of stories that transcend borders and time.

Principals of World Literature

Principal	Explanation	Example
Transcultural Perspective	Emphasizes a broad, transcultural view of literature that transcends national and cultural boundaries.	Exploring Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz’s “Cairo Trilogy” to understand Egyptian society beyond national borders.
Global Human Experience	Focuses on universal themes and shared human experiences reflected in literature from around the world.	Analyzing the theme of family dynamics in Isabel Allende’s “The House of the Spirits” (Chile) and Gabriel García Márquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” (Colombia).
Diverse Literary Traditions	Celebrates the diversity of languages, cultures, and literary traditions, fostering appreciation for global voices.	Studying the influence of Persian “Rubaiyat” poetry on Edward FitzGerald’s English translations.
Cross-Cultural Dialogue	Encourages the exchange of ideas and influences between different literary traditions, enriching the global literary landscape.	Investigating the impact of Japanese haiku on American poets like Ezra Pound and the Imagist movement.
Interconnectedness	Highlights the interconnected nature of human experiences and how literature reflects this interconnectedness.	Examining how various cultures depict migration and diaspora experiences in their literature.
Recognition of Influences	Acknowledges the impact of one culture’s literary heritage on another, promoting cultural exchange and understanding.	Tracing the influence of Russian literary giants like Fyodor Dostoevsky on Latin American magical realists such as Gabriel García Márquez.
Translation and Accessibility	Values the role of translation in making literary works accessible to a wider audience, enabling the sharing of diverse narratives.	Reading Nobel Prize-winning Turkish author Orhan Pamuk’s “My Name is Red” in English translation.
Universal Themes	Recognizes that literature often explores themes that resonate universally, transcending geographical and cultural borders.	Exploring themes of love, family, and identity in world literature, from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” to Haruki Murakami’s “Norwegian Wood.”
Cultural Preservation	Advocates for the preservation of diverse cultural identities and literary heritages within a global context.	The efforts to safeguard Indigenous storytelling traditions, such as the oral histories of Native American tribes.
Interpretation and Adaptation	Allows for the interpretation and adaptation of literary works to resonate with different cultural contexts and audiences.	Modern retellings of ancient myths and legends from different cultures, like Neil Gaiman’s “Norse Mythology.”

These specific examples illustrate how each principle plays a vital role in fostering cross-cultural understanding and the appreciation of diverse literary traditions.

Suggested Readings

Books:

1. Damrosch, David. What Is World Literature?. Princeton University Press, 2003.
2. Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von. Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship. Penguin Classics, 2004.
3. Moretti, Franco. Distant Reading. Verso, 2013.
4. Pratt, Mary Louise. Imperial Eyes: Travel Writing and Transculturation. Routledge, 1992.
5. Said, Edward W. Orientalism. Vintage, 1979.
6. Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. Imaginary Maps: Three Stories. Routledge, 1995.

Articles and Journals:

• Moretti, Franco. “Conjectures on World Literature.” New Left Review, vol. 1, no. 1, 2000, pp. 54-68.
• Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. “The Politics of Translation.” The Yale Journal of Criticism, vol. 10, no. 1, 1997, pp. 183-200.