The Aspect of Comparative Literary Studies

Sometimes, we feel that there are connections between one literary works
with the others. Even though do not know what it is, there are still some things.
It is because a literary work is not made from emptiness. Writers base their
works on their experiences. They can be from their live or from their reading.
There are two aspects that we have to consider in understanding the
connection between two or more literary works. In this case, people call it
comparative literary studies.
The first one is reception. This aspect comes from the writer. The aspect
considers how people (readers) react on certain literary work. Readers have an
expectation when they read a text. Then, in or at the end of reading process,
readers will give response based on their expectation. Unlike passive readers,
who will not give a concrete response, active readers will give response in
concrete form. These kinds of readers often have a new work as a response.
The second aspect is from the work itself. It is called intertextuality. This
aspect compares two or more literary works. In other words, it considers its
sameness and differences. Readers must have enough knowledge about the text
to reach the work content and meaning.
Now, we know why there are similarities in literary works.
With these two aspects, readers can reach deeper meaning of the text.
Besides, reader will know which text was written earlier and which writer is
influenced the work.
After all, we cannot judge plagiarism just based on some sameness
between works. The later work can be an adaptation or intertextuality.