Literature， in a strict sense， refers to　"the art of beauty" or　"the art of language"， including poetry， prose， drama， fiction， etc. However， the concept "literature" has gone through a complicated process of evolution in the course of history before it develops the meaning we usually refer to today.

Preface
Chapter I Rhythmic Subtlety vs Metrical Inspiration
——Comparison of Chinese and Western Poetry.
Section I. Secular Songs vs Religious Hymn： Difference in Subject Matter
Section II. Shifting vs Relative Stability： Comparison in Poetic Forms
Section III. Rich Techniques vs Predilection for Symbolism： Difference in Techniques
Section IV. Different View on War and Death： Difference in Values

Chapter II Abstract Ideation vs Vivid Description
——A Comparison of Chinese and Western Prose
Section I. Philosophical Strength vs Emotional Vigor： Comparison of Chinese and Western Prose
Section II. Fu and Dialogue Form Prose： Comparison of Specific Styles
Section III. Individualism vs Collectivism： Values reflected in Chinese and Western Essays
Section IV. Impact of Western Prose on Chinese Prose

Chapter III The Art of Alienation and Integration
——Comparison of Chinese and Western Drama
Section I. Singular in Time and Space： Different Origins of Chinese and Western Drama
Section II. Undiluted Tragedy vs Aesthetic Grief： Comparison of Dramatic Tragedies
Section III. Alienation vs Integration： Difference of the Relationships between Actors and Audience
Section IV. Exchanges and Assimilation

Chapter IV Versatility vs Relative Uniformity
——Comparison of Chinese and Western Fictions
Section I. Steady Development vs Catching up： Development of Chinese and Western Fictions
Section II. Direct Portrayal vs Indirect Rendering： The Psychology in Chinese and Western Fiction
Section III. Absence vs Awakening： Feminist Consciousness in Chinese and Western Fictions
Section IV. Chinese Fiction under the Influence of Western Ideas： Impact and Assimilations

　　Li Qingben originally from Laizhou， Shandong and born in 1965， PhD in literature. He is the Director of Research Institute of World Literature and Culture， Beijing Language and Culture University. He is professor and tutor of PhD candidates. His major works