Mainland Influence on Hong Kong's Literary History (1950s-1970s)

Abstract

The current academic community tends to focus more on the differences in the writing of Hong Kong's new literary history, neglecting its reference to the tradition of writing new literary history in Mainland China. The Main land's literature, which is primarily emotional and evaluates writers' works through emotional tone and artistic expression, and the traditional historiography centered on "people," have had a significant impact on the writing of Hong Kong's new literary history. Wang Yao's "Draft History of Chinese New Literature" has provided a template for historians such as Li Huiying and Cao Juren to draw upon in terms of concepts and formats. The writing of literary history as a textbook plays an important role in shaping ideology, stimulating national identity, and reflecting the national will, and Hong Kong's writing of new literary history also shares similarities. Although there are differences in historiographical concepts and other aspects between Hong Kong's writing of new literary history and that of Mainland China, the presentation of many commonalities shows a deep influence from the Main land's historiographical tradition.