Q. Discuss the significance of world literature for the students of 21 st century India.

Form your arguments based on your reading of the prescribed texts as well as the
discussions in class.

Ans: Before one starts discussing the significance of world literature for the students
of 21st century India, it is important to understand what is meant by the term world
literature. Who gave this term? Does it have any specific definition? How did it
originate? Foremost it is important to be aware of the answers to these questions
before divulging into their significance in the present century.
According to my understanding World, literature comprises literature from all
nationalities of the world across time. The term World literature was first used by
19th century most influential german writer Goethe in the book Conversations with
Goethe written by Peter Eckermann. Not only Goethe but many other influential
writers of their times like Franco Moretti, David Damrosch, Rabindranath Tagore
have all given their definitions and views when it comes to world literature and how
it contributes significant purpose to the world we live in.

Being a 21st-century Indian student of Literature myself and having studied not only
Indian but also world poetry of African American, Nigerian and Native American
writers, I can attest to the fact that it indeed left a significant impact on me and my
understanding of different cultures, experiences, and social norms across the world.
And when I realised how life experiences and diversity across the world shapes
people in different ways, it expanded my thinking and steered me away from viewing
the world from a very narrow vantage point. For eg: The poem “Still I Rise” by Maya
Angelou, an African American poet, is a statement against the society that tries to
oppress the voice of the women of the black community. Or in the issue of racial
discrimination against African Americans in the poem “I, Too, Sing America” by
Langston Hughes. This poem depicts how Native Americans despite being citizens of
America are not recognised and often discriminated against by the people.

These poems give the students insight into the people of different ethnicities, races,
and ages. Through world literature, they can learn about various historical events
and start to understand a wide range of cultures and it not only educates them about
world history but also allows them to experience the difference and similarities.
Essentially, World Literature helps students understand different world experiences
from a variety of viewpoints, helping them to become more open-minded and
empathetic. It broadens their horizons and allows them to understand the world
around them on a deeper level.

These literary works from all over the world allow the students to understand the
time they were written, the people who wrote them and find out the part of the
work that spoke or resonated with the students even in the present time. The more
you know about the author, the better you can understand the messages central to
his/her body of work. This not only provides the students with insight into the theme
the author chose to write about but also opens a window to learn about the culture
the author lived in, the history surrounding that place, the various artistic,
intellectual, and political movements of that time thus connecting portal to the
culture surrounding the author. For example, The poem “ Sure you can ask me a
personal question “ by Diane Burns tells how the poet being Native American was
constantly subjected to stereotypes and judgments just because of her looks.
Similarly, in the poem “Telephonic conversation “ by Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian Poet
highlights the conversation between people of two different races and how in the
poem a black man who is looking for a place to rent is stereotyped and refuted by
the white landlady just because of his dark skin colour. This showcases the societies
view of white superiority and black inferiority during that time.
This also helps students to learn more about the authors from different part of the
world and their backgrounds. Like how Wole Soyinka the poet of the above-
mentioned poem belongs to a Nigerian tribe and won Nobel Prize in 1934.

Thus, World Literature allows the students to experience the lives of people from
different backgrounds, different socioeconomic classes, mindsets, ages and periods
across the world and also provides them with a chance to see and consider
viewpoints that he/she might otherwise never encounter. This improves their critical
thinking skills, helps to develop a tolerance for others, and also broadens the sense
of responsibility towards the world. It expands their mind and provides them with a
new way of seeing the world and understanding the perspective of people belonging
to different parts of the world.