Introduction To World Literature: by Katrina Melissa Cruz

INTRODUCTION TO
WORLD LITERATURE
By Katrina Melissa Cruz
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a German poet, playwright, novelist,

scientist, statesman, theatre director, critic, and amateur artist,
considered the greatest German literary figure of the modern era. The
idea of World Literature came from him as his interest to Chinese
literature, among others, flourished. Goethe searched for an
alternative to both metropolitan culture and German nationalism since
the German artists and intellectuals responded to the metropolitan
culture, which is French literature, through nationalist initiative. Goethe
found the solution to be world literature.
World literature started out to be an ideal or ambition. Goethe said,

“The era of world literature is at hand, and everyone must contribute to
accelerating it.” Centuries later, this statement remains to be true.
World literature is a market that must be sustained as the circulation of
literature is somehow still experiencing some challenges and debates
such as the considerations to be taken note of when letting a work be
included as world literature and of course, regarding the issue of
translation. The challenges on circulation, however, are not as grave
as the recent years. Today in the 21st century, because of technology
and freedom of expression, as well as our growing need for
information, we continue to accelerate world literature as more and
more people contribute to it.
There are many factors for a literary piece to be qualified as World

Literature, let alone to be called “literature”, per se. World literature is
used to refer to the sum total of the world’s national literatures, but
usually it denotes the circulation of works into the wider world beyond
their country of origin. To be considered world literature, it has to
speak to people of more than one nationality, hence it transcends
borders. Often used in the past primarily for masterpieces of Western
European literature, world literature today is increasingly seen in
global context because in the present time, countries are experiencing
similar situations and somehow, they are all linked together. Literature
went through profound changes in the 20th and 21st centuries, partly in
that of technology, communication and warfare.
As we went through World War II and the rapid expansion of

technology and communication, artists are more likely to share new
ideas and express themselves than they had ever had in history.
There is more freedom then until now. Experimentation in writing from
the early century continued, and as writers had more access to ideas
from other cultures, they had more with which to experiment. And
now, when ideas are shared in an instant, writers have a nearly
unbounded ideas and topics from which to choose and the freedom to
question any assumption.
The early literary genres that were developed are still being studied
and read until today such as poetry, drama, fiction, essay, and epic.
From these genres, as we live in the internet age and the continuous
blooming of technology happens, literary genres continue to develop
and grow, and they are not limited to the above mentioned. In
addition, 21st century literature is in progress and thriving now along
with the genres to be able to accommodate the present resources and
lifestyle we have, especially for the students who now have a different
learning process and resources.
In the modern vernacular, 21st century literature is associated with its

academic context, pertaining to the enduring works of fiction,
philosophy, history, etc. that have been studied for generations and
molded the foundations of our thought. Yet literature by its definition
comprises all written works, a truth that has never been more
applicable than in our current internet age, when the written word is
more accessible and democratic than ever before.
The 21st century reader grew up using technology as a primary

learning tool and this made them skilled in navigating and interpreting
digital formats and media messages. They have literacy skills which
consists of technological abilities such as the use of the keyboard,
internet navigation, ability to communicate and interpret coded
language and decipher graphics. 21 st century literature deals with
current themes and issues and it also reflects a technological culture,
it also breaks traditional writing rules; hence, themes and issues we
are going through now are freely written, expressed, and conveyed
through technology. For this reason, genres such as IM and blog
format books, digi-fiction, doodle, creative non-fiction, manga, and
graphic novels, among others are emerging.
Students, readers and writers alike need to develop proficiency with

the tools of technology and build associations with others to pose and
solve problems collaboratively and cross-culturally. They also need to
design and share information for global communities to see various
purposes. They must manage, analyze, and synthesize a manifold of
streams of synchronized information. They should create, critique,
analyze, and evaluate multi-media texts. Hence, the internet serves as
a tool for efficient expressiveness and sharing of ideas and
information. Social media, blogsites, and marketing sites such as
Amazon and Rakuten that freely lets people publish their works as
electronic books enables and encourages us to bring out our
creativity. They are avenues for people to write and read different
kinds of works with various relevant themes and issues happening
around us and they become part of the 21st century literature.
It is essential for the students’ awareness to be raised, as well as their

interest to the social and cultural conditions we have now. It is
important for students to be more socially and culturally conscious of
what the world needs to be able to shape what is in store for the future
and with the help of technology, as long as they get to use it well with
the help of education, they may be able to do so.

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INTRODUCTION TO

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a German poet, playwright, novelist,

World literature started out to be an ideal or ambition. Goethe said,

There are many factors for a literary piece to be qualified as World

As we went through World War II and the rapid expansion of

In the modern vernacular, 21st century literature is associated with its

The 21st century reader grew up using technology as a primary

Students, readers and writers alike need to develop proficiency with

It is essential for the students’ awareness to be raised, as well as their

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