Comparative Literature: Method and Perspective

Comparative literature, a young discipline in this country, relatively speaking, has needed to have its methods and perspectives defined. Here is the first notable attempt to do so.

Although the essays in this volume may be considered independent contributions, they have been motivated by the interest, common to all con­tributors, in the problems the student of comparative literature may en­counter and the methods he may find useful. In each essay, the author has undertaken to indicate certain objectives and to characterize certain proce­dures which he considers essential in approaching his particular problem; and in so doing he has tried to illustrate theoretical statements by including ex­amples drawn from his own reading and research. As a result, these essays will be of considerable assistance in helping the student, whatever his special interests, to find his way in this broad area of study.

The first essay seeks to fix the objectives and define the scope of com­parative literature. It contains an annotated bibliography which the student will find indispensable. The second essay considers problems of terminology of which all students must be aware if they are to speak a language under­stood by one another and the public. The third contribution considers the influence of one writer upon another and upon foreign countries, and the fourth examines the tremendous importance of translations in this respect.

Other essays cover the relationship between literature and psychology, literature and ideas, and literature and the fine arts.