Goethe's Concept of World Literature and Literature in Asia and Africa

These flashcards cover key concepts and authors in world literature, focusing on Goethe's ideas, Asian and African literature, and notable literary figures.

What does Goethe's concept of Weltliteratur signify?

It serves as a bridge for humans to share literary texts across nations.

What are the three characteristics of literature according to the concept of Weltliteratur?

Universal, diverse, and easily translated into other languages.

What is an example of a term that can be translated into multiple languages?

INRI (REX IUDAEORUM), which translates to 'Jesus Nazarenus' in Hebrew.

Who is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe?

A German literary critic who expanded the concept of Weltliteratur in the 19th century.

What is the oldest novel in Japanese literature?

The Tale of Genji from the 11th century.

What common themes are found in Asian literature?

Family and community, reflecting the cornerstone of Asian culture and filial piety.

Who is Charlson Ong?

A Filipino-Chinese author known for his work 'White Lady, Black Christ' published in 2021.

What notable work did Rabindranath Tagore produce?

Gitanjali, a collection of 103-104 poems.

What characterizes Murasaki Shikibu's identity?

Her real name is unknown; she is recognized for writing 'The Tale of Genji'.

What is Haruki Murakami's notable work?

The Trilogy of the Rat, published in 2002 and translated into English in 2005.

Who is Khaled Hosseini?

An Afghan novelist known for works like 'The Kite Runner'.

What is a griot?

A traditional West African storyteller who preserves history and culture through oral narratives.

What is the significance of Africa in the context of literature?

Africa is the world's second-largest continent, with a rich diversity of languages and cultures.

Who is Chinua Achebe?

A Nigerian novelist known for 'Things Fall Apart', focusing on the struggle between change and tradition.

What is Wole Soyinka known for?

He is a Nigerian writer and playwright who was the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.

What are some notable works by Nadine Gordimer?

'The Conservationist' (1974) and 'No Time Like the Present' (2012), focusing on educational equality.