Global Literature: Cultural Integrations in 20th and 21st Century Literature


The theme that can be emphasized from this selection of readings is connectedness. The title of this week’s topic is global literature and focuses on finding one’s identity within literature. The theme of connectedness is apparent in this topic’s readings because literature blurs the lines of national identity.

For my readers who are teachers, using the theme of connectedness is a great way to teach students about global literature.  One activity you could have students do is to create a circle, give one student a ball of yarn, and have him/her share one of their favorite readings or texts that have been studied in the class or that they have read independently. After sharing their favorite, that student will through the yarn to another student and so on until all students have shared. The idea behind this activity is to show students that in the end, we are all connected and literature is one way that we are connected that does not rely on national identity or our race.

I think one element from pop culture that can engage students in the theme of connectedness is social media. People who are on social media have the opportunity to share and connect with people that they do not know and may never meet in person from different parts of the world. There is a global connection that is going on through the Internet and on social media that is not determined by national identity or where in the world you are from, but relies more on similar likes and views, opinions, etc.

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