Comparison between Asian and European Literature

Comparison between Asian and European Literature

            Literature in Asia and Europe can be considered as post colonial works, due to the fact that they were once colonized. Many literary masterpieces contain moods that express patriotism and claiming for independence. Both the literary pieces in Asia and Europe have helped them established and identity of its own. Their literature is compact of ideas wherein culture, belief, religion, and values collide. Like Asian literature, European or Western literature projects different subjects and moods like love, death and grief, religion and feelings, the beauty and love of nature and art. These are revealed from the different writers or authors who want to share their views and emotions through different literary works. Each country in Asia and Europe has its own literary pieces which can be traced to have been influenced by foreign philosophies.

            Like Asian literature, European literature has also evolved from classical to modern literature bridging the understanding of traditional living and modern society. Europeans view literature as a powerful weapon to persuade the public. In like manner, the undying literary masterpieces of Rizal - Noli Me Tangere and Filibusterismo have awakened the minds of millions of Filipinos as they come together to fight for independence. The literatures of these two continents are basically aimed at entertaining and educating people. Some of Asian literatures have become the basis of Christian Religion like The Book of the Days which was written by Confusius. Europe also has the kind of literature that talks about religion and customs like The Divine Comedy by Dante of Italy. If Europe has numerous Epics like the El Cid Compeador of Spain and The Song of Roland of France, Asia also takes pride on their famous Epics like the Mahab-harata and Ramayana of India.

            If we try to look into the different literary works of the both, we can observe that they both have their own and unique style and moods of writing. Most of their literary pieces were greatly influenced by their beliefs, culture and traditions, which have made them unique in their own way.