Abstract: The history of western literary theory has undergone five paradigm conversions,bringing about different literary concepts.Literature Reception of “Imitation Theory” is a kind of “sincerity listening” of pursuing ontological world;literature reception of “Practical Theory” is a kind of interesting reading for the rational purpose;literature reception of “Performance Theory” is a kind of experience reference for the pursuit of spiritual freedom;literature reception of “Objective Theory” is a kind of mental compensation of aesthetic autonomy;and literature reception of “Reception Theory” is a kind of dialogue communication with pluralism.The reflection on and theoretical description of the western literature reception is of importance to understand the conceptual history of reading.

Key words: literary reception, literary paradigm, ontology listening, interesting reading, experience reference, mental compensation, conversation communication