Comparative Literature: Its Definition and Research Grounds

Comparative literature is a kind of inter-disciplinary study paying attention to the relation between literature, art and humanities of different nations. In France, where it began, comparative literature was considered part of literary history and the scholars were mostly studying the origin of inspirations and historical evidences showing literary links and their influence on and from each other. Thus, less attention was paid to the aesthetics aspects of literary works in French school of comparative study. The American school which began in the second half of 20th century paid more attention to aesthetics and criticism. It believed that literature is a universal phenomenon linked to knowledge and art. Some contemporary American scholars of comparative study have mixed it with cultural studies.The article gives definitions of the comparative literature in American and French schools and the scope of research in this field.