Apa Itu Comparative Literature atau Sastra Perbandingan?

Summary

This video explores the field of comparative literature, which examines works from multiple cultures and languages. It traces the history of comparative literature, beginning with the 19th century when French conquests led to the exploration of foreign cultural works. The discussion shifts to the 20th century, where comparative studies moved away from viewing one culture's literature as superior to others. The focus is now on understanding literary works through various disciplines like philosophy, sociology, and anthropology. The video emphasizes four main principles: the study of multiple cultures, interdisciplinary approaches, multilingualism, and inclusivity of works once considered 'outside' the mainstream literary canon.

Takeaways

• 😀 Comparative literature involves the study of literary works from multiple cultures and contexts.
• 😀 The history of comparative literature dates back to the 19th century, particularly during Napoleon's conquests in Europe and Africa.
• 😀 Early comparative literature often assumed the superiority of French literature over others.
• 😀 In the 20th century, post-World War II, the field evolved to move away from the idea of one culture being superior to another.
• 😀 Comparative literature today encourages understanding works from other cultures with an open, inclusive perspective.
• 😀 Interdisciplinary approaches are crucial in comparative literature, incorporating fields like philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and psychology.
• 😀 The study of comparative literature places significant emphasis on multilingual skills and cross-lingual analysis of works.
• 😀 Modern comparative literature includes not only traditional literary works but also non-canonical forms such as comics and films.
• 😀 The field promotes the idea that non-traditional or 'pop culture' works are just as valuable for academic study as canonical literary works.
• 😀 There are four key principles that define comparative literature: multicultural perspective, interdisciplinary approach, multilingualism, and inclusivity of non-canonical works.

Q & A

What is the definition of comparative literature discussed in the video?

Comparative literature is the academic field that studies literary works from more than one culture, focusing on the relationships between these works and the cultural contexts they emerge from.

How did the field of comparative literature originate?

The field of comparative literature originated in the 19th century, particularly influenced by Napoleon's conquests. French scholars began comparing French literature with the works from the regions they conquered, such as Egypt, leading to an early form of comparative study.

What historical event significantly impacted the development of comparative literature in the 20th century?

The end of World War II marked a significant shift in comparative literature, especially in America, where the field began to embrace a more inclusive approach, no longer assuming the superiority of one culture's literature over another.

What was the focus of comparative literature in the 19th century?

In the 19th century, comparative literature often focused on comparing French literature with other national literatures, under the assumption that French works were superior and should be contrasted with those from other cultures to determine their worth.

How did the approach to comparative literature change in the 20th century?

In the 20th century, the field moved away from viewing one culture's literature as superior. It shifted towards understanding literature from other cultures with an open, respectful perspective, focusing on learning and appreciating the differences rather than comparing superiority.

What are the four main principles of comparative literature discussed in the video?

The four main principles of comparative literature are: 1) Examining works from multiple cultures, 2) Incorporating interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., philosophy, sociology, anthropology), 3) Emphasizing multilingual analysis, and 4) Including non-canonical works such as comics and films.

Why is multilingualism important in comparative literature?

Multilingualism is crucial in comparative literature because it allows scholars to understand the linguistic nuances of different texts, providing a deeper appreciation of their meaning and cultural context.

What is meant by the 'non-canonical works' in the context of comparative literature?

Non-canonical works refer to texts that are typically not considered part of the traditional literary canon, such as popular culture items like comics, films, and works from minority ethnic groups. These are increasingly recognized and studied in comparative literature.

How does comparative literature bridge the gap between disciplines?

Comparative literature bridges disciplines by using theories and methodologies from other fields like philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and psychology to deepen the understanding of literary works and their connection to social and cultural contexts.

How has the scope of comparative literature expanded over time?

The scope of comparative literature has expanded to include not just high literature but also popular culture, with an increasing focus on works from marginalized groups and genres previously overlooked by traditional literary studies.