DIALOGUES ACROSS CULTURES: INTERTEXTUALITY AND IDENTITY FORMATION IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE STUDIES

Abstract

The article “Dialogues Across Cultures: Intertextuality and Identity Formation in Comparative Literature Studies” explores the role of intertextual connections in shaping cultural identity within the field of comparative literature. The research highlights how literary texts across different traditions enter into a dialogue with one another, reflecting historical, philosophical, and socio-political contexts that transcend national boundaries. By examining key examples from both Western and Eastern literary canons, the study demonstrates how intertextual references not only enrich the aesthetic dimension of a text but also serve as a means of negotiating collective and individual identities. Special attention is given to the ways authors adapt, transform, or subvert earlier narratives to address issues of cultural hybridity, belonging, and self-representation in an increasingly globalized world. The article emphasizes the methodological significance of comparative approaches that consider translation, reception, and cultural transfer as essential tools for uncovering hidden layers of meaning. Ultimately, it argues that intertextuality functions as a bridge between cultures, fostering cross-cultural understanding while simultaneously preserving difference and diversity. This contribution seeks to advance current debates in comparative literature by demonstrating that identity formation is not a fixed process but an ongoing, dialogical negotiation shaped by intertextual encounters across time and space.