Comparative literature refers to the branch of literature and art that makes a comparative study of the interaction between two or more national literatures and the relationship between literature and other art categories and other ideologies. It includes impact research, parallel research and interdisciplinary research. As a discipline, it rose at the end of 19 and the beginning of the 20th century.

Why is the emergence and development of comparative literature a historical necessity? Because it embodies the reality of the development of the times and society, the renewal of knowledge and the improvement of cognitive ability, and adapts to the urgent needs of literary research under the new situation. Realistic demand is the basic driving force of discipline development, and disciplines that can adapt to this demand will be given priority. This is the fundamental reason for its emergence and development.