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The emergence and subsequent predominance of instrumental rationality catalyzed a paradigm shift, bringing the utilitarian aspect of literature to the forefront, thus elevating the issue of "use of literature" to prominence in China. The four-volume Post-WWII History and the Development of Foreign Literature written by Professor Wang Shouren and his colleagues is a Chinese response to this paradigm shift. It redefines the Chinese perception of literature from a perspective that transcends eurocentrism, marking a significant stride in interpreting literatures of the world. By advocating holism and value judgment, the dynamic representation theory of literature and taking realism as epistemology, this History affirmed the value of literature. Meanwhile, one of the most noteworthy contributions of History lies in its introduction, as implied by the title, of a new concept for periodization: post-World War II literature. And the layout of these four volumes corresponding with the logic and method of the "beam-column style assembly" in traditional Chinese architecture, sets up a unique model for literary history writing, one that based on relational philosophy. In this sense, History is a landmark in the continuation and renewal of the tradition of the writing of the history of foreign literature in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]