This paper is an attempt at alter-globalist criticism of the contemporary discourse of world literature from the perspective of a researcher of two small European literatures (namely, Polish and Lithuanian). Beginning with classical definitions, the study analyses concrete proposals of the canon of world literature in order to indicate its violent character and prove the existence of the principle of “spoilage” of information inscribed in the criticised discourse.

This paper is an attempt at alter-globalist criticism of the contemporary discourse of world literature from the perspective of a researcher of two small European literatures (namely, Polish and Lithuanian). Beginning with classical definitions, the study analyses concrete proposals of the canon of world literature in order to indicate its violent character and prove the existence of the principle of “spoilage” of information inscribed in the criticised discourse.