Book
The variation theory of comparative literature
Abstract
Professor Cao Shunqing's book on The Variation Theory of Comparative Literature, now available in English, is a welcome attempt to break through the linguistic barrier that keeps most comparatists in China enclosed within their own cultural domain. Cao's book aims to open a dialogue with scholars around the world.
The Variation Theory is a response to the one-sided emphasis on influence studies by the former "French school" as well as to the American focus on aesthetic interpretation, inspired by New Criticism, which regrettably ignored literature in non-European languages. Our Chinese colleagues are right in seeing the restrictions of former comparative studies and are fully entitled to rectify those shortcomings. However, it is important to view the rise and interaction of the various schools that Cao describes in their historical context.
by Douwe W. Fokkema
Former President of the International Comparative Literature Association
Emeritus Professor of Comparative Literature, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Details | Table of Contents
pp.1-62
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34277-6_1pp.63-100
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34277-6_2Publication details
Publisher: Springer
Place: Dordrecht
Year: 2013
Pages: 252
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-34277-6
ISBN (hardback): 978-3-642-34276-9
ISBN (digital): 978-3-642-34277-6
Full citation:
Cao Shunqing (2013) The variation theory of comparative literature. Dordrecht, Springer.