As a theoretical proposition that embodies the essence and characteristics of literature, Gorky first put forward it. It is not Gorky's original words, but is summarized according to Gorky's relevant literary opinions.

1928, 12 In June, Gorky was elected as a member of the "local chronology" of the Soviet Union. When he delivered a speech at the celebration of the Central Local Chronology Bureau of the Soviet Union, he called his main work "anthropology". He said: "I still think my main job, my life's work is not local chronicles, but humanities research." As we all know, Gorky is both a writer and a social activist, but he is mainly a writer after all, and his identity as a social activist is also shown through his activities. People have reason to think that Gorky's "main works" refer to literary works, and this kind of literary works is "human studies". This is the first time Gorky called literature "human studies". Although it is not direct, it is clear. Later, in talks and articles such as "On Craft and Literature", Gorky also expressed the idea that literature is a "human study". Therefore, "literature is human studies", as a literary proposition and a classical definition of literature put forward by Gorky, is recognized by the world and widely circulated.

Although Gorky first called literature "humanism" and no one had used the concept before him, the essence of literature as "humanism" and the inseparable relationship between literature and "human" exist objectively. Many literary theorists in the past dynasties not only realized this, but also had different in-depth discussions. Today, "literature is human" has become the common sense of literary theory.

"Literature is human nature" is an enlightenment thought. Gorky did not specify its connotation when he put forward this theoretical proposition. It is with the development of literary creation practice that people constantly give it new meanings. Looking at it now, it generally contains some thoughts: First, the central object of literary description and expression is people. Man is the master of social life, the subject of social practice and the center of literary understanding and reflection. Although literature is a vast field, it should not only describe people, but also describe things other than people, not only social phenomena, but also natural landscapes. What is written in literature and what is written naturally are all humanized things. Humanized nature reflects people's attitude towards their living environment and has their own thoughts and feelings. Therefore, the entry of things and nature into the field of literature does not affect that literature is to know people and reflect their basic nature. Second, not only the description object of literature is people, but also the service object of literature. The task and function of literature is to influence people, educate people, beautify people, inspire and guide people to know life, transform reality, improve themselves and make people live a better life. In short, in the field of literature, everything starts from people and everything is for people. 3. Literature takes people as the object, influences people and educates people. In literary creation, we should affirm the essential strength of human beings and embody humanitarianism. Today, we should regard socialist humanitarianism as an important ideological principle.

In connection with the above points, we should adhere to the principle of human subjectivity in the field of literary creation and appreciation. Specifically, writers, as human beings, should give full play to their subjective strength and realize their subjective value, and should not create from some additional concept. Writers should fully respect the subjectivity of characters as human beings in their creation and never regard characters as tools or puppets. But to treat the character as a real person, a person who has the same thoughts, feelings and independent personality as himself. To fully believe and respect the subjectivity of readers as human beings, we can't ignore the aesthetic personality and creative mechanism of art appreciators in the aesthetic process. Therefore, writers cannot condescend to regard themselves as educators and reduce readers to passive trainees.