WORLD LITERATURE

WORLD LITERATURE FT. American, Mexican, Japanese and French Literature

CONTENTS American Literature Mexican Literature Japanese Literature French Literature

American literature is a literature predominantly written or produced in English in the United States of America and its preceding colonies. Before the founding of the United States, the thirteen colonies on the eastern coast of the present-day United States were heavily influence by British literature. American literary tradition is part of the broader tradition of English-language literature. To kill a mocking bird is one of the greatest literatures of America a novel by Harper Lee. Published in 1960 and is widely read in high school and middle school. To kill a mocking bird tells the story of the young narrator’s passage to innocence to experience when her father confronts the racist justice system of the rural, Depression-era south.

Mexican literature is one of the most prolific and influential of Spanish- language literatures along with those of Spain and Argentina. Poemas (1953-1955) by Rosario Castellanos A notable poet of the 20th century, forming part of the Generation of 1950, Rosario Castellanos also has both a cultural centre and a park in Mexico City named in her honor. Poemas (1953-1955) (1957) is a great starting point to get to know this poet, whose poem ‘Valium 10’ is widely considered as great a work as Sylvia Plath’s ‘Daddy’. She regularly wrote on feminist topics and despite her early death, left an impressive legacy that warrants her inclusion on our introduction to Mexican literature.

Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, and were often written in Classical Chinese. Indian literature also had an influence through the spread of Buddhism in Japan. The Tale of Genji Japanese literature has a long and illustrious history, with its most famous classic, The Tale of Genji, dating back to the 11th century. Often dark but full of humor, Japanese literature showcases the idiosyncrasies of such a culturally driven nation. It is a story of love set in a court of the Heian period, with the central character having to navigate her way through the social and political obstacles of the time.

French literature (French: littérature française) generally speaking, literature written in the French language, particularly by citizens of France; it may also refer to literature written by people living in France who speak traditional languages of France other than French. In the early 17th century, French literature coincided with the Baroque movement that was developing in the artistic scene. Typical characteristics of this movement include the personal, dynamic, colourful elements as well as the use of images to produce an impact on the readers or spectators.

Beauty and the Beast, Madame de Villeneuve (1740) This classic fairy tale is unusual for its length and complexity. In this version, the Beast is a visually terrifying yet gentle creature who treats Beauty with great care and kindness. Every night, the Beast asks Beauty to marry him, and every night she rejects him until finally she agrees, only to find when she wakes the handsome prince of whom she has been dreaming of nightly. Villeneuve’s tale features many subplots and fantastical devices, making it not only a retelling of a beloved classic, but also narratively compelling. World literature is the cultural heritage of all humanity. It is essential to study world literature as it helps us understand the life of different people from all over the world, forms our world-outlook and acquaints us with the masterpieces of literature.