This book offers a critical introduction to comparative literature. It reviews the origin and development of comparative literature and explores from a theoretical perspective the contributions of prominent Chinese scholars in history such as Lin Shu, Yan Fu, Gu     Hongming, Wang Guowei, Lu Xun and Chen Yinque. Through the close examination of classics such as A Treatise on Poetry, An Aesthetic Strolling, Limited Views: Essays on Ideas and Letters, Discourse on the Art of Poetry, this book reveals the concept and method of comparison for the humanities and social thought, with the prospect of identifying scholarly decisions and directions from the traditions of Chinese culture, and bringing differentiated yet universal Chinese thought to the world.

The book is authored by Professor Yue Daiyun, a founder and leader of the discipline of Chinese comparative literature. The content will be of interest to readers in the discipline of comparative literature or those that are interested in Chinese literature and culture in general.

Yue Daiyun, the central figure in the establishing of Chinese comparative literature as a discipline, was a prestigious and award-winning professor at Peking University. Her academic appointments include: Professor and Doctoral Supervisor of Comparative Literature and Modern Chinese Literature at Peking University; Chair of the Center for Cross-cultural Studies (CCS) at Peking University; President of the Chinese Comparative Literature Association; Editor-in-Chief of Dialogue Transcultural.