Perspectivism holds that one can only access and understand the world through their own unique perspective and interpretation. It rejects the idea of objective reality that is separate from perspectives. Nietzsche fully developed the idea of perspectivism, challenging prior Western philosophers like Plato, Descartes, and Kant. Literary history charts the developments and experiments of authors through various periods in hopes of stimulating global discourse and cultural understanding. While a dominant view is that our current understanding is more advanced, studying the past often fosters respect for the intelligence of prior eras. The American literary historian R.E. Spiller put forward four theories about literary history, which are not described further in the text.

2. UNIT -I
LITERARY
THEORY,LITERARY HISTORY
& LITERARY CRITICISM

18. Perspectivism is the philosophical position that one's access
to the world through perception, experience, and reason is
possible only through one's own perspective and
interpretation. It rejects both the idea of a perspective-free
or an interpretation-free objective reality.
In visual perception, the appearance of an object changes
according to a viewer's relative position to the object. This
human experience was developed in philosophy as
perspectivism. Although Leibniz integrated this view into his
philosophy, it was Nietzsche who fully developed it. His
perspectivism challenged the entire history of Western
philosophy, including the thoughts of Plato, Descartes, and
Kant.

20. Literary history charts their
developments and experiments in
writing in the hope that global
discourse will be stimulated and
cultures come to understand one
another. It relates, compares, and
categorizes the poetry, prose, drama,
and reportage of authors at various
period

21. A dominant reading of literary history
is teleological, with us at a higher
level of accomplishment and
understanding than those in the past.
A close study of any period, though,
usually awakens a respect for the
intelligence of the past, including the
amazing erudition, intelligence, and
insight of other times.

23. The four theories of Spiller
The greatest American Literary
Historian,R.E.Spiller propounds four
theories concerning literary history.
1.First theory.
2.Second theory.
3.Third theory.
4.Fourth theory.

27. SHORT QUESTIONS
1.What is the meaning of the word “literature”?
2.What do you mean by perspectivism?
3.How does R.E.Spiller define literary History?
4.What are the two activities of a literary historian?
5.What is the function of literature?
ESSAY QUESTION
1.Explain the four theories of Spiller concerning literary
history