On the reception of the influence from Western philosophical trends on Chinese literature by the second half of the 20th century

Upon the 90s of 20th century, in the diversification as well as ‘complexity’ of social and cultural norms, the highness of Chinese literary reform slowed down. The vibrant artistic peaks, under the influence of Western philosophical trends, gradually cooled off. It was known that enlightened spirit that shined brightly in the beginning of the reform was unlikely to replicate in all corners of secular society – a society in which successful businessmen were the main driver. Meanwhile, not going public in bookstores, in theaters, or on television means that arts remained a display item. Therefore, art was never closer to the market like this period. Literature tended to depart from the central norms into the periphery. Chinese academics in general and literature in particular, at that time, were not lagging behind the synchronic advances in the West because it was inherited from an earlier period of ideological liberalization in which researchers as well as literary authors were trained on the basics. This essay studies the reception of the influence from Western philosophical trends on Chinese literature by the second half of the 20th century with the aim of partly explaining the above phenomenon.