This book, titled "Comparative Literature: Method and Application," is the result of lectures given to students of the Arabic Language and Literature department at the Faculty of Arts, Isra University. It explores a new direction in modern literary studies: comparative literature. We hope this book, which we place in the hands of students, achieves its intended goals, the most important of which is to move from theoretical understanding to critical application. It combines theory with practice and pairs concepts with models. The initial chapters (1-4) revolve around the issues of comparative literature (its origins, terminology, and methodologies), while the other chapters (5-10) focus on textual applications within the framework of influences and critical parallels.

When I began writing and organizing this book, I took into account that it should align with approved university curricula, encompassing the maximum scope of their courses and the objectives and vocabulary they contain. In selecting its material, I adhered to a plan and objectives that trace the development of comparative studies and their cognitive and historical growth, with extensive comparisons between Arab-Islamic works and European ones, highlighting the lines of influence and impact without neglecting their specificity and originality.

The book is divided into ten chapters: The first chapter traces the origin and historical development of comparative literature. The second chapter is dedicated to historical concepts in comparative literature, noting the terminology that emerged from them. The third chapter focuses on basic terminology in comparative literature. The fourth chapter covers the main methodologies of comparative literature: the French, American, and Slavic schools. The fifth chapter discusses the relationships of ancient Arabic literature with other literatures, particularly Persian and Greek. The sixth chapter examines the relationships of modern Arabic poetry with other literatures. The seventh chapter revolves around literary genres. The eighth chapter, "Means of Communication in Comparative Studies," addresses important topics such as translation, travel, and Orientalism. The ninth chapter deals with Western literary movements: Realism, Symbolism, Existentialism, and Structuralism. The tenth chapter includes textual applications in comparative literature, from which I have selected:

• A comparison between "La Fontaine's Fables" and "Kalila and Dimna."
• A comparison between "The Divine Comedy" and "The Epistle of Forgiveness."
• A comparison between "Robinson Crusoe" and "Hayy ibn Yaqdhan."
• The frame story in "Kalila and Dimna" and its influence on "Count Lucanor."
• The frame story in "One Thousand and One Nights" and its influence on European literatures.

The book also includes three appendices: the first for basic terms in comparative literature with their Latin equivalents, the second a bibliography of Arabic sources for comparative literature, and the third an index of Western scholars of comparative literature.

It is expected that a student who completes the comparative literature course and its applications will achieve the following objectives:

1. Trace the origin and development of comparative literature, particularly in France, the United States, Germany, Russia, Eastern Europe, and the Arab world.
2. Understand the common concepts and terminologies in comparative studies between literary texts and works.
3. Distinguish the methodologies of comparative literature and understand the differences and similarities between them, especially the French and American schools.
4. Recognize literary genres in terms of their historical development, influence, and impact.
5. Become familiar with modern literary movements such as Realism, Symbolism, Existentialism, and Structuralism, and the extent of their influence on modern Arabic literature.
6. Identify Arab and Islamic influences on other literatures.
7. Comprehend the relationships between ancient and modern Arabic literature and other literatures.
8. Conduct literary comparisons between various works and texts, adhering to comparative methodology.

This modest book is the result of significant effort in gathering, arranging, and classifying its material. It starts from clear principles, focusing on the issues, methodologies, and terminology of comparative literature, and looks forward to the application itself by comparing a collection of literary works and texts. It does not claim perfection. If it satisfies the readers, that is what pleases the heart. And if it does not meet their aspirations, I remember the words of Imad al-Din al-Isfahani in acknowledging shortcomings: "I have seen that no one writes a book in his day but says on the morrow: 'If this were changed, it would be better; if this were added, it would be improved; if this were brought forward, it would be superior; and if this were omitted, it would be more beautiful.' This is one of the greatest lessons, and it is proof of the prevalence of imperfection among all of humanity."

• Number of Pages: 438
• Year of Publication: 2017
• Binding Type: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st
• Print Color: Black
• Size (cm): 17x24
• Weight (kg): 0.800
• Barcode: 9789957971137