On the Construction of World Poetics

Abstract

Since “world literature” has in recent years become a topic of heated international discussion in the humanities, we need to formulate a concept of world poetics. This is for the following theoretical reasons. Firstly, world poetics is a natural theoretical sublation of research achievements in the field of world literature and comparative poetics. The current dominance of Western literary theories does not do justice to the experience of the literatures and literary theories of other countries and peoples. Secondly, to date, all influential literary interpretations and theories have been produced in a Western setting. However, due to the limitations of the linguistic and cultural background of such interpretations, they cannot simultaneously cover the categories and experiences of Eastern and Western literatures and literary theories. Thirdly, Chinese scholars have a long history of research in cutting-edge Western literary theories and abundant experience in indigenous Eastern literatures and critical theory. Formulating the concept of world poetics will improve world literary theories and concepts and will remap the scenario of existing world literatures and literary theories.