Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.3, 2020

The Expectation of Literary History on the Creation of “New Characters” in Chinese Literature since 1949

(Abstract)

Wu Jun

The creation of “new characters” in Chinese literature since 1949 is a prominent requirement and major theme in the development of contemporary literature. The creation of “new characters” in Chinese literature originated from the new vernacular literature of the May 4th era. The connotation of “new characters” in contemporary literature is manifested in its conscious appeal to the contemporary context. The main objective is to promote the political, innovative and universal qualities of literature, which are endowed and symbolized by “new characters”. In the Internet age, literary creation will be faced with the new challenge of creating “new characters” with realistic features.