An Overview of Developments and Trends in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature

This paper analyses the development of Chinese modern and contemporary literary trends and phenomena from the perspectives of modernity and postmodernism and gives readers a comprehensive understanding of modern and contemporary Chinese literature. The author traces the origin of the expression “Chinese modern and contemporary literature” and summarizes the important aspects of the revolution of Chinese literature which have led to the creation of modern and contemporary Chinese literature. In this paper, the author examines the influence of great Western thinkers such as Freud, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to the development and reform of modern Chinese literature in different literary circles. In addition, the author highlights some of the prominent literary themes that permeate Chinese modern literature and discusses the changes in the attitude of literary scholars to different literary genres. This paper also discusses the popular trends of modern Chinese literature and the development trend of postmodern literature. Keywords: modernity, modern and contemporary literature, Chinese literature, literary trends, literary genres DOI : 10.7176/JLLL/62-08 Publication date: November 30 th 2019