Towards a New Definition of Comparative Literature and Criticism

Based upon the major events of the past decades in the field of

comparative literature, there seems to be a need for a new definition of

comparative literature and comparative criticism. In this essay, the

new characteristics needed for the new definition of comparative

literature and the approaches and methods of comparative criticism

(especially interdisciplinary approaches) will be outlined. The

researcher believes in order to understand these new characteristics,

one needs to analyze and re-read the concepts of “the other”, “border”

and “identity”. With the advent of translation theory, semiotics,

narrative theory, postcolonial theory (especially diaspora theory) and

cultural theory, there appeared drastic changes not only in the field of

comparative studies but also in the methodology of comparative

studies. Therefore, the challenge we face at the moment is the

explanation of the approaches and methods based upon the new

definitions. Consequently, three major theories and methodologies are

proposed and it is claimed that the intertextual theory and methods

match best with the new definitions of comparative literature.