Literature is a reflection of culture, value and history of society. In the context of education, comparing English literature from various parts of the world gives students the opportunity to understand the diversity of perspective and themes in literary works. This article will explain the importance of comparing English literature and world literature in learning, as well as how this approach can increase students's understanding of different cultures and literature traditions.
Compared English literature to literature from other countries helps students recognize and appreciate cultural diversity. Every literary work not only reflects the views of the author, but also the context of the social and historical place where he was written. For example, the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen gives you an idea of what high society in British 19th century, while "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini describes life in Afghanistan, full of social and political challenges.
By comparing these two works, students can understand how the background of culture affects character, theme and conflict in stories. It also encourages them to develop tolerance and empathy towards other people's experiences.
Although literary works come from different backgrounds, often there are universal themes that cross cultural limits. Love, betrayal, identity, and struggle are some common themes found all over the world. In learning, students can explore how these themes are handled in a different context.
For example, love themes can be found in works like "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare and "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green from English literature, as well as "Love in the Time of Cholera" by Gabriel García Márquez of Latin literature. The discussion of how love is explored in different social and cultural contexts gives a deeper insight into human experience.
One effective way to compare English literature and world literature is to integrate both types of literature in the curriculum. In the classroom, teachers can pick text from various literature traditions and discuss it simultaneously. For example, students can read "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe while studying "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
This approach allows students to see similarities and differences in theme, style and character. Besides, teachers can guide discussions about the context of history and culture that go behind each of the works.
Giving research tasks that encourage students to dig deeper into writers and works of various cultures could be very useful. Students can be asked to do research on cultural influence and history in certain works, or compare two writers from different traditions.
For example, students can research how colonialism is reflected in the literary works of African writers and English writers. These studies not only extend their understanding of literature, but also expand their knowledge of global history.
Group discussion is another method effective to compare English literature and world literature. In an interactive atmosphere, students can share their views and analysis of the works they've read. This discussion allows them to hear the perspective of their friends and build a more holistic understanding.
For example, after reading "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger and "The Stranger" by Albert Camus, students can discuss how both main characters face isolation and alignment. By sharing each other's thoughts, students can see the same theme from a different perspective.
One of the challenges of comparing English literature and world literature is a cultural gap that may exist between students. Some students may not be familiar with the cultural context or the history of non-British literature. In order to address this, the teacher needs to provide enough background and invite the students to discuss the context.
The language and style of writing in literature of various traditions can be very different. The translated literature may have lost its nuance and meaning. Therefore, it's important to use good translations and discuss the differences in the style of writing in the context of each culture.
Compared English literature to world literature in learning gives students a lot of benefits. In addition to expanding cultural insights, this approach also helps students discover universal themes that connect human experiences around the world. Through methods like interdisciplinary curriculum, research tasks, and group discussions, students can develop a deeper understanding of literature and cultural context.
Source:
"Comparative Literature: by Ben Hutchinson
"Teaching Comparative Literature" by Susan S. Lanser
