World Literature After Empire: Rethinking Universality in the Long Cold War

This book explores the idea of a world in the cultural and philosophical sense beyond the Western perspective, presenting case studies from Europe, the United States, and China. It demonstrates how anti-imperialist writers and artists challenged the dominant worldview and sought to redefine the concept of the world based on issues of race, gender, sexuality, global inequality, and class. International cultural organizations also played a role in shaping this debate during the Cold War.

Format: Hardback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the profound assertion that the notion of a world in the cultural and philosophical realms transcends the boundaries of Western civilization. During the Cold War and in the aftermath of decolonization, a multitude of historical endeavors emerged to reimagine the concepts of world literature, world art, and philosophical universality from an anticolonial perspective. Contributing to ongoing discussions on world literature, postcolonialism, and translatability, this comprehensive volume presents a series of interdisciplinary and multilingual case studies spanning Europe, the United States, and China. Through these captivating case studies, readers are invited to explore how individual anti-imperialist writers and artists sought to reshape the very fabric of the world by offering a unique perspective that centers on critical issues such as race, gender, sexuality, global inequality, and class. Moreover, the book delves into the intricate ways in which international cultural organizations like the Afro-Asian Writers Bureau, UNESCO, and PEN International attempted to navigate and shape this contentious debate amidst the Cold War divides. This thought-provoking exploration of the world's cultural and philosophical landscape offers a fresh and insightful perspective, challenging readers to reconsider their understanding of global interconnectedness and the role of individuals and organizations in shaping the world's narrative.

Weight: 444g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367655204