The spread of
Marxist literary theory in China has experienced a shift from three-approach-period to a sole-approach-period.
Originating from the historic necessity, the shift nevertheless has its drawbacks: 1) It brings about a confusing mixture of classical texts and hermeneutic texts. 2) It brings about the double indirectness in spreading through translated texts. 3) It brings about a utilitarianism emphasizing political interests. The contemporary study of
Marxist literary theory can be divided into three periods: 1) the interpreting and criticizing of the classical texts period. 2) the exploring the theoretical system period. 3) the constructing its contemporary form period, with every period having its own stress and characteristics. The century-long spread and study of Marxist literary theory also has its positive forces: 1) It fostered the advent and development of the domesticated Marxist literary theory
in China. 2) It boosted the shift in the Chinese literary Criticism. 3) It modified the direction of Chinese literature. Meanwhile, it has its defects: 1) lack of innovation. 2) dualistic thinking. 3) lack of variety in research method and ideological resources.