What is Comparative Literature Today? | Susan Bassnett | Group Task | MA Sem 4 #departmentofenglish

Summary

This video explores the evolving field of comparative literature, emphasizing its diverse definitions and approaches. It traces the discipline's roots to the 19th century and highlights critical methodologies like deconstruction, translation studies, and post-colonial theory. Citing influential thinkers such as Matthew Arnold and Susan Bassnett, the discussion delves into how comparative literature transcends national and cultural boundaries. The video also addresses challenges within the field, including questions about its object of study, methods of comparison, and the role of translation in shaping literary connections across time and space.

Takeaways

• 📚 Comparative literature is a field that studies texts across cultures, emphasizing the connections between literature across time and space.
• 🌍 Comparative literature emerged in the 19th century and differs from national and world literature.
• 🧠 Scholars in comparative literature focus on relationships between literature and other fields like philosophy, history, and human experience.
• 📖 Matthew Arnold noted that every literature is connected, influencing and illustrating one another.
• 🔄 Postmodernism and other critical theories like deconstruction, orientalism, and translation studies have reshaped approaches to comparative literature.
• 🔍 The field raises questions about the object of study, how to compare literature, and the boundaries between different cultures' literary works.
• 🗣️ The discipline has faced challenges in defining its boundaries, with debates on whether comparative literature is a distinct field or a broader study of literary history.
• 🌐 Comparative literature removes boundaries between cultures, encouraging universal harmony and understanding through the study of great literary works.
• 🏛️ The field's development has been influenced by post-colonial and global perspectives, challenging Western-centric views and including voices from Africa, India, and the Caribbean.
• 📝 Translation studies have become a significant part of comparative literature, emphasizing the role of translation during periods of cultural change and expansion.

Q & A

What is the general definition of comparative literature according to the script?

Comparative literature involves the study of texts across different cultures and examines patterns of connection in literature across time and space.

How has the approach to comparative literature changed over time?

Over time, comparative literature has been influenced by various critical approaches, such as sender-based criticism, translation studies, deconstruction, and orientalism, which have reshaped how literature is studied and analyzed.

What is the simplest answer to the question, 'What is comparative literature?' according to the script?

The simplest answer is that comparative literature is the study of texts across cultures, focusing on the patterns of connection in literature over time and space.

How did Matthew Arnold contribute to the understanding of comparative literature?

Matthew Arnold suggested that 'everywhere there is a connection,' emphasizing that no single literature or event exists in isolation but is interconnected with others, thus advocating for a comparative approach to literature.

What is the relationship between comparative literature and other fields like philosophy and history?

Comparative literature is often studied in relation to other areas of human experience, such as philosophy and history, to better understand the connections between literary works and broader intellectual movements.

How did comparative literature emerge as a field of study?

Comparative literature emerged in the 19th century from the study of national, general, and world literature. It gained recognition as a formal discipline in the late 19th century, particularly in Germany in 1960.

What challenges have scholars faced in defining the scope of comparative literature?

Scholars have debated the object of study in comparative literature, questioning how to define it and what aspects to compare. Some argue there is no universal method for studying comparative literature, while others focus on literary history and thematic connections.

How has postmodernism influenced the study of comparative literature?

Postmodernism has introduced new questions about the purpose and methodology of comparative literature, challenging previous assumptions and pushing scholars to reconsider how and what to compare across different literary traditions.

What role does translation play in comparative literature?

Translation plays a significant role in comparative literature, especially in periods of cultural expansion and renewal. Scholars argue that translation helps bridge cultural differences and allows for cross-cultural comparisons in literary studies.

How has comparative literature contributed to breaking down cultural and linguistic barriers?

Comparative literature removes the borders between national literatures, fostering a deeper understanding of different cultures and promoting a sense of universal harmony in literature.