A thesis on the pecularities of Asian literature

A thesis on the pecularities of Asian literature

Asian literature has undeniably gone through wondrous shifts over the centuries. Now we see it flourish into yet another form of contemporary masterpiece as it captures our attention and takes over our hearts through riveting portrayals of life and love, struggles and survival, society and culture, and everything in between.

Asian literature encompasses the literary works from the various parts of the continent: we have texts from Russia in the North; the trio of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean masterpieces from East Asia; Arabian works from the West; masterpieces from countries like India, Pakistan, and Nepal in the South region; writings from Kazakhstan and its surrounding countries in Central Asia; and stories from countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand in the Southeast.

But what are the defining traits of Asian literature? Why is it significant?

How has it developed over time to become the favorite reads that we know today? More importantly, does it have a place in our world now?


Asian Literature, Defined

Asian literature is diverse in that it showcases a selection of styles and themes, but as it progressed over time, common ideas have been identified between the texts from the various regions of the Asian continent.

Perhaps the most similar trait of all Asian texts is their religiosity and spirituality. Asian literature is known to be a philosophical and contemplative art, pondering on major matters in life such as our origins and our death: where we come from and where we go, how we come alive and how we die, as well as how we should live in between.

Related to the spiritual feature, the involvement of nature is evident.

Besides these, Asian literature greatly talks about race, injustice, power, nationalism, struggles, love—and in all things at all times, there are morals to be learned.

The most common styles in this type of literature are poetry or verse and dramatic prose. Asian poetry is typically lyrical, as in it deals with the grand scheme of emotions. A sub-type of lyrical poetry is the ode, which we can see in some religious texts. Asian poetry is also usually formed in narratives or story-telling verses like epics. As for the proses of Asia, there are collections of short stories, legends, orally transmitted sayings, and dramas.