World Literature in the 21st Century

• 21st Century


  An era marked by rapid technological advances that have had a significant impact on literature worldwide
• Transition from Print to Digital Media

  1. Decline of Traditional Print - impact of the internet and mobile devices on print media circulation

  2. Adaptation of Print Media - transition of newspapers, magazines, and books to digital formats and online platforms
• Hypertextual Literature


  • Non-linear reading through hyperlinked texts, altering narrative structures
• Twitter


  • Platform for micro-stories and poetry; concise and impactful writing
• Facebook


  • Platform for longer literary pieces like short stories and plays; interactive reader engagement
• New Literary Genres

  • SMS Fiction
  • Texttula
• SMS Fiction and Texttula


  Adapted for mobile communication; compact nature of modern technology
• Science Fiction


  • Expansion due to technological advancements
  • Space exploration and futuristic technologies becoming realities
• Speculative Fiction


  • Blends sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery to reimagine history and the future
  • "What if" narratives and alternative histories
• Graphic Novels


  • Combine visual art with narrative; expands storytelling methods
  • Graphic novels as legitimate literature
  • Superhero adventures to societal critiques
• Transrealism


  • Origins and development of the genre by influential authors like Philip K. Dick
  • Unique characteristics, such as the blend of personal experiences with fantastical elements
• Flash Fiction


  • The challenge and artistry of conveying stories in a very limited word count
  • Emphasizes brevity, requiring readers to actively interpret minimal text
• Literature as a Reflection of Societal Issues


  • Literature mirrors current global challenges, such as consumerism, terrorism, and the materialistic culture
  • Literature's role in expressing and addressing these issues, influencing societal and cultural perception