An Intertextual Perspective of Chinese and American Poetry around 1920s*

Abstract – To have an intertextual perspective of Chinese and American poetry around 1920s, this paper firstly deals with the origins of intertextuality in the west as well as in China, and holds that American poetic texts can not confine themselves within American culture and literature only, nor can Chinese poetic texts limit themselves in a small cosmos of Chinese culture and literature as well. Then the paper attempts to prove that American poetry is intertextual, lying in the fact that with time approaching to 1920s, European traditions still function in the transformation of American poetry. And around 1920s, Chinese classical culture competes with European traditions to make American poetry nationalized. Meanwhile, to show Chinese poetry is intertextual, the paper claims that with time approaching to 1920s, China sustains her poetic traditions continually through referring to the established achievements in the past. And around 1920s, western culture, especially American culture, influenced Chinese poetic traditions to have a change in both inspirations and methods. Briefly, Chinese poetry and American poetry around 1920s are obviously the typical instances of intertextuality, which seem interweaving, echoing and essentially intertextual