Abstract: China’s social transition over 30 years has provided a good opportunity and a fertile ground for the development of art and literary theory. The introduction of numerous western theories also gives momentum to China’s theoretic production. It is of great theoretic and practical significance to trace its evolution and predict its developmental trends. Since the trends are embodied in the theoretic works published in this historical period, careful analysis of representative texts helps to gather evidence and substantiate research in this direction. The developmental trends are manifest in the five aspects: the interaction of the spirit of the time and the literary experience; the prescription and constitution of art and literary theory; reinterpretation of the theoretic base of Marxism; and reflection on the theoretic tradition and critical reception of existing categories of literary theory.

Key words:  Social Transition, art and literary theory, trend, western theories, Marxism