the other- Menocal writes that the recent surge, over the past few centuries, in the development of Europe and the Americas, due to imperialist pursuits, has led them to classify themselves as a distinct entity from the Arab cultures that had helped lay the groundwork for the very same Renaissance that had given the western world power. Because the west found itself as the victors of war it was able to record history as it saw fit and only gave anecdotal credit to the Arab cultures for helping establish the rudiments of western progress. Instead the west has alienated itself from these cultures that tremendously aided their now privileged existence and ignores the fact that the dark ages were only a dark age in western societies; the cultures of the middle east as well as the Arab influence in Spain were making great strides in areas such as mathematics and the arts (architecture & music/poetry). The recorded histories of the west sought to cut ties with these eastern influences once in a position of authority.
evolution – Irwin writes that there is no clear cut origin of the written story, in large part due to the influence of the oral tradition in storytelling, and that it is important to realize how one story facilitates the creation of others. This free flowing movement of ideas cannot be pinned down and is in a state of constant flux. At all times a new story is being created that cannot be accounted for without having to draw upon previously encountered texts or spoken words. This fluid notion of literature gives the reader the idea of of it being almost a living, breathing thing that will certainly be nurtured into varying novel forms.