Abstract: The injustice in the case of "Hu Feng' s counterrevolutionary cliques" has been commonly acknowledged since China' s reform and opening up, but, due to some deepseated prejudices, Hu Feng' s literary theory is still considered as deviating from the dominant ideology and therefore faulty. However, the only way to judge a theory is through practice rather than by the standards of another theory. Artistic practice over the past decades has fully demonstrated that Hu' s theory sheds more light on the principles of art than the mainstream ideology, which has actually hindered the free development of art. Hu Feng, as a faithful follower of Lu Xun' s literary views, fully embodies the cultural ideal of the May Fourth Movement and has greatly contributed to the development of new Chinese literature. Although Hu Feng was discredited, his theory survives since the artistic views developed by many later writers are either a reworking or elaboration of Hu' s theory. Hence, it is highly necessary to reevaluate Hu Feng' s literary theory in terms of its practical significance. 

Key words: Hu Feng' s literary theory, realism, Lu Xun's literary views, the cultural ideal of the May Fourth Movement