| Popis: |
This essay focuses on the question of what constitutes “new European” literature and explores the potential and pitfalls of concepts such as the “postnational” or “cosmopolitanism” and their impact on European and “new European” literature. Following a brief overview of what has been perceived as “old” versus “new” European literature, it looks back at Europe’s founding myth and Moschus’ image of Europa, more specifically Europa’s dream, to reconsider the cosmopolitanism of European literature and reflect upon both the continuous strife for the postnational and the question of emergence of “new” European literature. Providing a critical outlook with the regard to the promotion and proliferation of new European literature, this essay explores literary genres which seem particularly effective for communicating new European values ideas, especially concepts of transnationalism or cosmopolitanism that are often associated with European culture. In this context, the essay proposes the hybrid genre of the Menippeian satire as an inherently cosmopolitan and transnational genre, which is based upon the continuous crossing of borders without completely overcoming them, and can thus assist the “new European” agenda of literature. |
