Tradition and modernity: the debate on Modernism and Taiwan’s new poetry in the 1950s

Following the publication of Chi Hsien's proposal advocating for a "horizontal transplantation" of Western trends, a debate emerged in the late 1950s within the press concerning Taiwanese modernism and New Poetry. Key figures such as Lin Heng-tai, Chin Tzu-hao, and Su Hsueh-lin played prominent roles in shaping this discussion. Lin Heng-tai put forward his Theory of Signs, contributing to the intellectual dialogue, while Chin Tzu-hao firmly opposed the horizontal transplantation, emphasizing the importance of vertical inheritance, or the preservation of Chinese cultural heritage. On the other hand, Su Hsueh-lin offered harsh critiques of New Poetry, marking another critical perspective in the ongoing debate. The diffusion of the Epoch Society further expanded the discussion, highlighting the significant role of surrealism within the broader Taiwanese modernist movement.