Comparative literature, from Euro Centrism to Globalism

Abstract

Comparative literature was officially founded by the Frenchman Abel Villemain in 1827, despite the existence of roots in comparison between the literatures of nations and peoples, such as the comparisons made by the Romans with the literatures of the Greeks and the Babylonians with the literatures of the Sumerians.In addition to the emergence of scientific research methods in the 19th century, which influenced comparative studies, moving from superficial studies to studies based on scientific methodology.The French school dominated the field of comparative literature for nearly a century, establishing standards and principles for comparative studies as the single dominant trend known as the French concept of comparative literature.But in 1958, the American critic René Wellek delivered a lecture entitled "The Crisis of Comparative Literature" during the Second Congress of Comparative Literature. His article, which was later published, met with considerable resonance, shaking all the foundations and principles of the French School, thus announcing the birth of a new trend with new principles and foundations, namely the American School, thus shifting from Euro centrism to globalism.