German literature as world literature

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This collection explores the international dimensions of German literature, featuring nine contributors who address a broad historical range with diverse approaches and authors. The essays collectively begin to outline the systematic relations between German national literature and world literature, shaped by institutions, cultural networks, and individual authors. In recent years, world literature—defined as literature that resonates beyond its original linguistic and cultural contexts—has gained prominence in theoretical discussions. The rise of world literature theory, pedagogy, and methodology stems from the challenges of conducting world literature criticism and history. The complexity, polylingual, and multicultural aspects of world literature pose significant obstacles, necessitating a collaborative approach that integrates various expertise. This collection aims to enhance the critical study of world literature in its textual, institutional, and translational contexts, while also addressing a previously underexplored question: the relationship between national and world literatures, specifically how national literatures systematically engage with or resist world literature.