How world literature takes us to other countries and cultures

Literature is the sole property of humanity, disclosing its presence anywhere and at all times. World literature offers global knowledge on numerous nations, states, unions, and cultures. Usually, researchers wander the universe in pursuit of knowledge via books, letters, poetry, and documentaries. The accumulation of information by these means also prompts researchers to conduct physical visits to ascertain different details. As a result, the participants and the states they visit have cultural experiences. Different nations, however, deem their societies to be superior and other cultures to be inferior. (Moretti, p. 54) This study, therefore, outlines the world literature with movements from nations and cultures. It also describes the basic lessons that are associated with it and elaborates on whether the superiority of given cultures should be retained and on what basis.

World literature in other countries and cultures

Cultures, as shared set of beliefs and traditions, are shaped by religions, history, nationality and ethnic identity. The dynamics of the world diversity enables the existence of different cultures, perhaps, by default. The world perceptions are varied and so is the understanding of different phenomena. Western society is considered to be built on several values which are discussed regarding the cultural differences and clash between the Orient, and the west. (Rushdie, 160). This values are held so dear to the westerners that they often consider themselves to be the most superior as compared to other cultures.

East and West are considered antagonists on information and identity in the cross-sectional situations. According to Rushdie, there is the possibility of mixing the modern culture and the philosophical remarks with both the formal and informal expressions that subtle the mental awareness. The cultural mixing is reflected through the postmodern historiographical and metafiction of Rushdie articles during the investigation of what is likely to happen when West meets with the East. (Rushdie, 172.

Leila, in her book, the translator, introduces the themes of cultural shock, loneliness and loss. She demonstrates the cultural shock that occurs when an individual visits a different state that has a different culture. The western culture, as is their norm, appears to supersede the other cultures. While those who visit the West are, by default, forced to adopt the western cultures, those from the west find it so difficult to adopt other peoples’ cultures. In fact, those from the west are likely to undermine the cultures of the states that they visit and try to influence members of that state to copy their culture. The change on cultural superiority is, however, in the offing.

The United States, for example, is negotiating on two agreements on Multinational free trade that would, critically analysed, embrace the existence of different cultures. The trade agreements would incorporate TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) and TTIP (Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) that brings together areas of Southeast Asia and the European Union. In the past, such agreements have exhibited both philosophical and legal impacts on international trade. The trade will probably affect the manner in which business operations are conducted globally by restructuring the various laws that have constrained the conduct of business. constraints. Whereas such transformations might seem to promote complications on a by now multifaceted global legal structure, the influence on trade agreements shall be helpful. Besides, these agreements shall, in fact, enhance various associations between states alongside helping in perfecting the development of systems of global commerce.

TPP will provide remarkable development in support of every party that is concerned. TPP certainly is a free-trade agreement that is being agreed amongst twelve Pacific Rim states. The trade associates incorporate Burundi, Dar-es-salam, Australia, Japan, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States, Peru, and Mexico (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart & Wright, 2006). Besides, TPP is described as an attempt towards developing a comprehensive agreement, which shall trim down tariffs together with other obstacles on the various open markets, whereas setting up standards towards a variety of issues that are affecting global competition as well as trade (Rauch & Trindade, 2002). These agreement, evidently, are going to break the cultural superiority of other regions and enhance trade and peaceful coexistence amongst the countries that are involved.

There is radical nationalism among the third and second world nations which raises concerns whether the third world nationalism is wrong and should not be applied in all the contexts. The study further argues that limits should not be allowed on the Manichaean dualism which dominates the globe but rather there is supposed to be the consideration of the issues that helps in uniting the two irreconcilable worlds (east and west cultures). Part of the strategies to help develop a world free from cultural boundaries is the initiatives of the TTIP and TTP.

Garcia (201) talks about love culture in the literature world. The world literature outlines the magical realism among the citizens of the different western cultures. Leila as a member of the Western culture got involved in the world literature due to displacement from the homeland (Sudanese). The study analysis focuses on the different cultural aspects of both the western and eastern communities such as stereotypes, prejudices, events and lifestyles which affect people. Imagination and realism are found to collide especially when these communities try to achieve their different issues which are culture-based The first world nations undermine the western and eastern cultures and also consider them to be inextricably interrelated (Chambers102). The lessons learned by Western intellectuals such Leila is that particular culture has to be enhanced, the inter-culture association is also significant in many aspects, and therefore every nationalism has to retain the superiority.

Due to nationalism, the western scholars find it distressing at the East as they encounter different weather situations ranging from cold to hot from the third world to first world nations. The best response to this is through adjusting and adapting to the situation as recorded by Leila (172). Western scholars on global literature find this as a good experience since they are involved in different climatic conditions. Moving to other countries have seen the culture change in the individuals. The religious Christians and Muslims change their culture to the secular one of the respective states. Despite being significant, it is found to be the most disgusting experience since it leads to loss of spirituality. This is seen as an adoption of the external culture which allows individual to fit properly into their current societies in the prevention of rejection, alienation and social related threats.

According to Leila (172), changing from the Muslim religion to secular religion of the Scottish was the worst trauma an individual could encounter. The exact level is deemed to change depending on the state and its culture as a result of the world literature. Most of the scholars of the global literature encounter the drastic change in language through adopting languages used by the other nations of the globe. According to Leila ( 170), the ordinary language words such as ‘inshallah’ which refers to God willing are no longer in use by the Scottish. World literature shows various relationships that exist between the different nations of the globe. This is achieved through ways in which the western cultures are perceived by both the first and second cultures, they also show the different protagonist and antagonistic cultures such the halal laws based on food which hinders the Muslims from taking pork (Moretti, p. 54). The cultural hybridity is illustrated through the world literature by various intellectuals. However current and previous studies on global literature argue that every nationalism should remain faithful to their culture with the focus on the tensions that arise due to significant different between secular and religious lifestyles.

Despite having the original identity, most of the world scholars on global literature do not hold their cultures but rather change depending on their environmental status. This is significant since it leads to quality and useful research on states and their cultures. Through movement, there is cultural and ethnic diversity in various countries such as London and Indonesia, but religion is considered as the unifying factor for these diversities. The movements are associated with better rewards based on the best literature and the touching stories outlined into it. Religion offers emotional and spiritual nourishment for those who feel rejected and alienated by their societies (Chambers 102). Despite the fact that the world literature take intellectuals to the nations and cultures it is also characterised by serious health effects which are encountered during the movement periods. Such effects include cancer threats which have led to the loss of most of the journalist who gives history of the world literature.

New citizens in different states are considered as slaves who are full of the vitality and living in fear in their ways and culture. However, the western culture allows for equal treatment of every individual regardless of race, gender and nationality. There are unique systems of love on different people of the states. World literature identifies existence of love among the Christians, the Muslims and Hindus as different from the secular love of ordinary citizens. There are also cases of febrile superstition by some countries such as Spain (Chambers 102). This has created fear for both the animal nature and animal world among human beings. Culture change due to demand by profession or based on rules of the state or institutions should not be allowed since one feels comfortable in the original culture.

Conclusion

The world literature is a significant tool used in the study of various nations and their distinct cultures. The western culture considers herself the most power of all and remains at the centre of all admiration. While this is good for identity and maintaining the global image of the western countries, and might not change any time soon, there is need for serious consideration of inter-cultural factors that might hinder the growth of business, trade and peace.

The West must, therefore, take it upon them to appreciate the existence of other culture and treat them as equals for the purpose of economic gain while maintaining theirs, otherwise, it will remain difficult to conduct global business.

The lessons learnt from the world literature on countries and cultures include; the individual culture among the nations is enhanced and should be supported when it has limited adverse effects; there is a natural movement in the single country as compared to foreign states and that different states and citizens support their culture despite criticism from the other countries. The countries are considered to be the sole source of culture promotion as studies describe. Culture adoption is on the increase due to increment in movements and interactions among the citizens of the states. Different countries have different cultures for their citizens, and therefore the superiority of the cultures should be retained as a tool for state and individual identity.











Works Cited

Chambers, Claire. "An Interview with Leila Aboulela." Contemporary Women's Writing 3.1 (2009): 86-102.

de Zepetnek, Steven Tötösy. Companion to Comparative Literature, World Literatures, and Comparative Cultural Studies. 2013.

Having, A.G Literature and the Crisis in the Humanities: JM Coetzee’s Disgrace and Elizabeth Costello. BS thesis. 2017.

Moretti, Franco. "Conjectures on world literature." New Left Review 1 (2000): 54.

Prawer, Siegbert Salomon. Karl Marx and world literature. Verso Books, 2014.

Rushdie, S. Imaginary Homelands, Essays and Criticism 1981–1994. London: Grant Books, 1991. Print

Rushdie, S. Step Across This Line. Collected Non-Fiction, 1992–2002. London: Vintage, 2002. Print.