It is not very long before study of reception history of classic writers turned into “an academic shelter” most lacking of academic innovation. In fact, a reception history of classic writers is essentially “a history of their spiritual life beyond the grave” and also a history of multiple aesthetic dialogue between receptive subject and receptive object and a history of multiple meaning generation. In terms of focus, receptive means and functional effect, a reception history of classic writers should involve at least five specific histories, that is, a history of establishment of classic place, a history of shaping of classic sequence, a history of interpreting artistic style, a history of influence of artistic example and a history of dissemination of personal spirit. Only by a multiple and diachronic investigation of all these can we contribute to the readers an allround, stereoscopic and rich history of classic writers beyond the grave.

classic writer; reception history; receptive subject; means of literary study