World-Literature

World Literature Overview

Activity #1: Across the Globe!

  • Task: Identify continents from jumbled letters using a world map.

Asia

  • Largest continent with a rich literary tradition.

  • Influences: Religion, war, and politics shaped its literature.

East Asia

  • China: A cradle of civilization with literary traditions dating to the 14th century BCE.

    • Literature preserved through the Chinese language.

Notable Chinese Poets

  • Du Fu (Tu Fu)

    • Regarded as the greatest Chinese poet.

    • Known for the poem “The Ballad of the Army Cats”.

  • Li Po (Li Bai)

    • Romantic poet, known for conversational tone and vivid imagery.

    • Wrote “Alone and Drinking under the Moon”.

  • Wang Wei

    • Poet, painter, and musician during the Tang dynasty.

    • Known for works inspired by local landscapes.

  • Mo Yan

    • Nobel Prize winner (2012); notable work “Red Sorghum”.

  • Yu Hua

    • Acclaimed short story writer; notable novel “To Live”.

Korea

  • Influenced by Chinese literature since the 4th century CE.

  • Hangul: Developed in the 15th century, marking a new era for Korean literature.

  • Post-Korean War literature explores alienation and identity themes.

Key Figures

  • Ch’oe Nam-Seon

    • Influential poet and historian; known for “The Ocean to the Youth”.

  • Yi Kwang-su

    • Author of the first Korean novel “The Heartless”.

  • Kim Ok: Korean poet; part of early modernism.

  • Pak Kyongni: Wrote epic novel “T’oji (The Land)”.

Japan

  • Unique literary history influenced by Chinese culture.

  • Notable forms: Haiku, Noh and Kabuki.

Important Japanese Writers

  • Abe Kobo

    • Novelist and playwright; known for “Tomodachi”.

  • Mishima Yukio (Kimitake Hiraoka)

    • Major novelist; wrote “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion”.

  • Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

    • Father of Japanese short stories; famous for “Rashomon”.

  • Haruki Murakami

    • Internationally acclaimed novelists like “Hear the Wind Sing”.

Middle East

  • Arabic literary tradition flourishing, influenced by Islam.

  • Influenced by Persian and European literary traditions.

  • Contemporary issues include freedom of expression.

Notable Writers

  • Abbas Mahmoud al-Aqqad: Egyptian innovator in Arabic poetry.

  • Taha Hussein: Influential in Egyptian literature; wrote “The Days”.

  • Ali Ahmad Said Esber (Adonis): Prominent modernist poet.

  • Etgar Keret: Israeli writer known for his short stories and graphic novels.

South and Southeast Asia

  • India as a cultural giant with roots in ancient texts like the Veda.

  • English literature influences during colonial times.

Key Indian Writers

  • Rabindranath Tagore: Nobel laureate; known for “The English Gitanjali”.

  • Prem Chand: Prominent author; wrote “Godaan”.

  • Raja Rao: Notable for “The Serpent and the Rope”.

  • R.K. Narayan: Known for “The Guide”.

Southeast Asia Literature

  • Influences from Buddhism and Islam.

  • Nguyen Du: Father of Vietnamese literature; known for “The Tale of Kieu”.

  • Tengku Amir Hamzah: Noted Indonesian poet.

Central Asia

  • Literature characterized by political and cultural influences.

  • Russian influence continues to exist.

Key Authors

  • Abdullah Qodiriy: Uzbek writer known for “O’tgan kunlar”.

  • Mukhtar Auez-uli: Recognized for the novel “Abay”.

  • Chingiz Aytmatov: Known for “Jamila”.

Africa

  • Rich oral and written traditions influenced by colonial experiences.

  • Human spirit reflected in desire for freedom.

Noteworthy Authors

  • Chinua Achebe: “Things Fall Apart” exploring traditional Igbo life.

  • Wole Soyinka: First African Nobel laureate; known for “A Dance of the Forests”.

  • Kofi Awoonor: Known for “This Earth, My Brother”.

  • Okot p’ Bitek: Known for “Song of Lawino”.

  • Nadine Gordimer: Nobel Prize winner for “The Conservationist”.

North America

  • Third-largest landmass; includes Central America, the US, and Canada.

Prominent Authors

  • David L. Weatherford: Known for poetry; “Slow Dance”.

  • A. E. Housman: Celebrated for “A Shropshire Lad”.

  • Kate Chopin: Noted for “The Story of An Hour”.

  • James Grover Thurber: Known for his comic works.

Latin America

  • Area where Romance languages are predominantly spoken.

Key Writers

  • Tess Almendarez-Lojacono: Known for “Just One Thing”.