What are the basic characteristics of May Fourth Literature?

May 4th Literature refers to a literary phenomenon and literary style that emerged during the New Literary Movement in China, especially after the May 4th Movement in 1919. Its basic features are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

1. Anti-traditionalism: May Fourth Literature opposed the literary tradition of feudalism and advocated the revolutionization and modernization of literature. The writers criticized the feudal ethics of Confucian culture and the suppression of individual liberation and human dignity, and advocated the liberalization and individualization of literature.

2. The use of the vernacular language: May Fourth literature advocated the use of the vernacular language for literary creation, breaking the monopoly of the traditional literary language, making literature closer to the language and expression of ordinary people, and enhancing the readability and dissemination of literary works.

3. The spirit of realism: May 4th literature emphasizes the realist method of creation, focuses on social reality, depicts social problems and the fate of characters, and demonstrates the writers' deep insight into reality and critical spirit.

4. The Rise of Individualism: May Fourth Literature emphasized the value and emotional expression of the individual. Writers explored themselves and expressed their pursuit of freedom, equality, and personal dignity through literary works.

5. Advocacy of scientific spirit: May Fourth Literature advocated the scientific spirit, advocated a scientific attitude to observe and study the society, opposed superstition and feudalism, and promoted the power of reason and knowledge.

6. Formal innovations: May Fourth Literature also made innovations in form, such as the rise of free verse and the realistic approach to drama and novels, which enriched the methods of literary expression and art forms.

7. The theme of enlightenment and salvation: May Fourth Literature assumed the theme of enlightenment and salvation to a large extent, and the writers awakened the people's national consciousness and promoted social change and national progress through literature.

The emergence of May Fourth Literature marked the birth of modern Chinese literature, and its basic features had a far-reaching influence on the development of new Chinese literature.