Proper Paper #2: Finding the ‘World’ (Final Exam)

INTRO: The last three books in this class are truly works of ‘world’ literature, meaning they represent the perspective of cultures and languages outside the normal American/European orbit. Additionally, each one tells a coming-of-age story as each narrator (they’re all first person, too) attempts to negotiate the responsibilities of adulthood through largely innocent eyes. But beyond these generic similarities, how much do they really have in common? Is anything “not us” by definition “World Literature”? Or do works from postcolonial societies offer a unified critique of the Western world, as well as the forms and languages it has bequeathed us?

PROMPT: Using these three works as a basis, how might you define ‘World Literature’ as a perspective? How does it differ from the other works in class (Manon, etc.), or from other works you’ve studied this semester? What unites works of 20^th-21^st century literature from other countries and traditions outside of Europe? Do they share certain approaches, themes, identities, and values? Or could the very idea of lumping them together as “World Literature” be limiting, dismissive, or even racist? In other words, are they ‘World’ by default, or are they ‘World’ by intention? Do we gain more by studying them together rather segregating them to their respective counties or languages (Duras as French lit, Naipaul as British lit, etc.)?

REQUIREMENTS: This is your final exam, so to speak, so I want to see you use all three books to some degree (though you can use one more than the others). Quote and analyze passages to make your point, and don’t summarize any more than necessary (no need to recount the plot of each book). You’re not required to use secondary sources, but you certainly can if you wish. I’m most interested in how you can use the books to defend this term and explore how it helps us read the literature in question.

There is no length requirement. Write at your own peril! J

Due no later than Friday, December 11^th by 5pm (no later papers accepted—it’s this or bust).