A Series of Theoretical Discussions on Literary History Based on the Views of René Wellek (1)

René Wellek (1903–1995), a distinguished literary scholar and linguist, was originally Austrian but began and completed his university studies in Prague. In 1939, following the Nazi occupation of Prague, he emigrated to England and then to the United States. A student of the Prague structuralist school, he succeeded in synthesizing his ideas with the principles of the New Critical formalist approach in America, ushering in a new era of literary studies worldwide. One of his most important works is Theory of Literature (1948), co-authored with the American critic Austin Warren (1899–1986). Fortunately, this book has been translated into Persian with both precision and scholarly care, and it stands as one of the most significant and influential works in literary research—serving, from its first publication to the present day, as a theoretical guide for a wide range of scholars in literary criticism, literary history, and comparative literature across the globe. Although many of Wellek’s works have been translated into Persian, traces of his ideas are scarcely visible in Persian-language works, whether in books and articles on literary criticism, literary history, and comparative literature, or even in master’s theses and doctoral dissertations in these fields. This is certainly not due to the quality of the Persian translations, as the translators were generally competent scholars well-acquainted with Wellek’s thought, producing accurate renditions. Rather, the problem lies primarily in the complexity and conciseness of Wellek’s prose, coupled with his numerous unelaborated references to older or contemporary subjects and sources. These features often quickly tire the reader and discourage further study. In this series of articles, I aim to introduce, critique, and examine René Wellek’s views on literary history. This series consists of three main parts, each comprising two to several different chapters. In the first part, drawing on various works by Wellek and supported by examples from Persian literature, I present his theory of literary history. The second part discusses critiques written of his views, and finally, the third part offers critical analyses of selected studies on the history of Persian literature in light of Wellek’s theories.