2007-08 BM1: Session 2

• Our present histories of literature show different periodisations
• Two positions towards periods:

• Each period produces its own literature. The literary works of a period help us to understand the frame of mind of the respective period
• We produce ever changing histories of periods to prove historical developments we want to claim as our own cultural heritage. We support our notions of the developments on the basis of a canon of literary works we select for each of the periods we want to have in our past.

• The past has played different roles in different periods.
• The future is a relatively new invention of our historical discourse.