This book systematically outlines the complex relationship between modern new poetry and classical poetry traditions of China for the first time. Since its Chinese first publication in 1994, this book has been an important reference for the study of Chinese modern new poetry.

This book consists of four chapters. The first three chapters analyze the influence of Chinese classical poetry traditions on modern Chinese new poetry from a macro-perspective while the last chapter uses case studies to illustrate the influence of traditions on individual writers from a more micro-perspective. Together, these four chapters provide a multilayered elaboration on the complex relationship between traditional Chinese poetry and modern Chinese poetry. The author argues that Chinese modern new poetry does not completely deviate from Chinese classical poetry traditions, but draws nourishment from Chinese and Western poetry traditions and continues to form new traditions.