ABSTRACT
The Routledge Handbook of Modern Chinese Literature attempts to meet the general demands for specialized knowledge of Chinese literature by providing a comprehensive overview of Chinese literature in the modern period (1910s–2017) and in-depth studies of some modern masterpieces for English-speaking readers and students as well as scholars. With a dual emphasis on coverage and depth, it seeks to survey the state and development of modern Chinese literature in the past century, redefine existing areas of modern Chinese literature in the context of world literature, highlight emerging areas in the field, and offer new insights and inspirations for future research agendas. In addition, it is intended to serve as a handy guide for further studies and a useful reference work for undergraduate and graduate students of literary and humanistic studies. For a clear view of the multiple purposes, this introductory chapter will address the core issues in the writing of the handbook in English: the overall conception, content, structure, organization, approaches, and format of presentation, and locate an underlying theme that provides unity and coherence to the multiple issues in this handbook.
