13 Questions
What is the main focus of the book discussed in the passage?
The provenance and development of comparative literature
What is a significant consequence of the self-imposed limitation in space for the book?
It allowed for a comprehensive coverage of the history of comparative literature
What approach to comparative literature has resurfaced, despite being initially rejected as ethnocentric?
Approaches based on 'influence' in its varied forms
What is a potential academic danger associated with the approach of deliberately seeking to show influence from third world literature?
Heightened risk of ethnocentricity and bias
What does the phrase 'ethnocentricity being reversed' suggest in the context of the passage?
Nations are seeking to show that their literature has influenced developed world literature
What is the unintended outcome of the self-imposed limitation in space for the book, according to the passage?
A comprehensive coverage of the history of comparative literature
What is the author's opinion on the concept of influence in comparative literature?
It is a concept that is difficult to dislodge from modern comparative literature scholarship.
What does the author imply about the practice of proving influence between literary works?
It is challenging and may not be feasible, but it still holds significance in modern comparative literature scholarship.
According to the author, what is the impact of the Indians' attempt to demonstrate their influence on European literary forms?
It has revived the concept of influence in modern comparative literature scholarship.
What does the author suggest about the relationship between literary works in the 'globalized' era?
'Border-crossing' influences can easily be perceived and studied within the 'globalized' era.
What does the author suggest about the significance of proving 'influences' between literary works?
It may be significant despite being impossible to prove.
How does the author describe the task of proving 'influences' between literary works?
A challenging task due to the imponderables, but essential for modern comparative literature scholarship.
'Influences' between literary works can easily be ____________.
'Perceived and studied'
Study Notes
The Book's Main Focus and Limitations
- The main focus of the book is comparative literature, exploring the relationship between literary works across cultures.
- A significant consequence of the self-imposed limitation in space for the book is that it may overlook or underemphasize the influence of non-European literature on European literary forms.
Approaches to Comparative Literature
- An approach to comparative literature that resurfaced, despite being initially rejected as ethnocentric, involves deliberately seeking to show the influence of third-world literature on European literature.
Dangers and Implications of Comparative Literature
- A potential academic danger associated with this approach is that it may lead to a simplistic or reversed ethnocentricity, where non-European literature is seen as influencing European literature.
- The phrase 'ethnocentricity being reversed' suggests that the traditional direction of influence is being challenged, with non-European literature now being seen as influential.
- The unintended outcome of the self-imposed limitation in space for the book is that it may perpetuate the idea that European literature is the central or dominant form.
Influence in Comparative Literature
- The author is skeptical about the concept of influence in comparative literature, implying that proving influence between literary works can be problematic.
- The author suggests that the practice of proving influence between literary works can be simplistic or superficial.
- The task of proving 'influences' between literary works is difficult and may be fraught with methodological issues.
Globalization and Literary Influence
- The author suggests that in the 'globalized' era, literary works are interconnected and influence one another in complex ways.
- The author implies that the significance of proving 'influences' between literary works is overstated, and that it may not be a fruitful or meaningful pursuit.
- Influences between literary works can easily be overstated or exaggerated.
Test your knowledge of the provenance and development of a modern critical field with this quiz. Explore the various approaches to comparative literature from both the east and west.
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