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Comparative literature, having passed through previous stages dominated by influence studies and parallel studies, has now entered a new, cross -cultural stage of development. The old generation of comparatists in the West assimilated the literary theories prevalent ln their time to improve comparative literature’s academic theory and methodology - undoubtedly a beneficial trend. Today, however, a few western comparatists have been actlvely developing literary theories of their own, and advocate replacing comparative llterature with research in the field of literary theory. This is a reaction to the growth of comparatlve llterature in the Third World, and specifically the Orient. The author of the present paper holds that any theory is merely a hypothesis, a “yardstick”used to facilitate analysis, but cannot be regarded as absolutely. true. Western literary theories are not only not applicable to eastern culture, but, more importantly,exhibit cultural imperialism and eurocentrism to a greater or lesser degree, to the disadvantage of Third World literatuyues.Replacing the new cross-cultural subject theory of comparative literature with these concepts, the author argues, would do great injury to the literatures and cultures of the Third World.
Comparative literature, having passed through previous stages dominated by influence studies and parallel studies, has now entered a new, cross -cultural stage of development. The old generation of comparatists in the West assimilated the literary theories prevalent ln their time to improve comparative literature’s academic theory and methodology - undoubtedly a beneficial trend. Today, however, a few western comparatists have been actlvely developing literary theories of their own, and advocate replacing comparative llterature with research in the field of literary theory. This is a reaction to the growth of comparatlve ll authorize the present paper holds that any theory is merely a hypothesis, a “yardstick ” used to facilitate analysis, but can not be seen as absolutely. true. Western literary theories are not only not applicable to eastern culture, but, more importantly, exhibit cultural imperialism and eurocentrism to a greater or lesser degree, to the disadvantage of Third world literatuyues. Replacing the new cross-cultural subject theory of comparative literature with these concepts, the author argues, would do great injury to the literatures and cultures of the Third World.