I was interested in two questions. The first: prior to the 19th century, which texts and which literary genres were embraced by the concept of literature (typical representatives of which are Shakespeare, Goethe, Prešeren, Dostoyevsky, Cankar, Jančar, etc.)? The answer should be simple: these are texts that fit the definition of literature. But a problem arises if we do not have an adequate definition. The second question: why do catechisms, theological debates, church plays and grammars belong under the heading of old literature, but not of new or contemporary literature? Because they were literature's predecessors? Because in the nationalistic 19th century it was necessary to point to a long literary tradition; because that is how it is in Germany; because the teaching of literature grew out of the teaching of grammar and rhetoric, which discussed all literary genres?
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