文学，一般是指“美的艺术”或“语言艺术”，包括诗歌、散文、戏剧、小说等样式。

本书就从诗歌、散文、戏剧、小说四方面进行了中西文学的比较。全书贯通中西，用中国文论的眼光来看待问题，对比较文学的研究，作者提出了自己独到的看法。

Preface

Chapter I Rhythmic Subtlety vs Metrical Inspiration

——Comparison of Chinese and Western Poetry.

Section I. Secular Songs vs Religious Hymn： Difference in Subject Matter

Section II. Shifting vs Relative Stability： Comparison in Poetic Forms

Section III. Rich Techniques vs Predilection for Symbolism： Difference in Techniques

Section IV. Different View on War and Death： Difference in Values

Chapter II Abstract Ideation vs Vivid Description

——A Comparison of Chinese and Western Prose

Section I. Philosophical Strength vs Emotional Vigor： Comparison of Chinese and Western Prose

Section II. Fu and Dialogue Form Prose： Comparison of Specific Styles

Section III. Individualism vs Collectivism： Values reflected in Chinese and Western Essays

Section IV. Impact of Western Prose on Chinese Prose

Chapter III The Art of Alienation and Integration

——Comparison of Chinese and Western Drama

Section I. Singular in Time and Space： Different Origins of Chinese and Western Drama

Section II. Undiluted Tragedy vs Aesthetic Grief： Comparison of Dramatic Tragedies

Section III. Alienation vs Integration： Difference of the Relationships between Actors and Audience

Section IV. Exchanges and Assimilation

Chapter IV Versatility vs Relative Uniformity

——Comparison of Chinese and Western Fictions

Section I. Steady Development vs Catching up： Development of Chinese and Western Fictions

Section II. Direct Portrayal vs Indirect Rendering： The Psychology in Chinese and Western Fiction

Section III. Absence vs Awakening： Feminist Consciousness in Chinese and Western Fictions

Section IV. Chinese Fiction under the Influence of Western Ideas： Impact and Assimilations