Abstract: Through discussing his commentary on Lu Xun, this thesis examines the achievement and failure of Kubin’s taking a modernity theory as a methodology to study Chinese literature in the last century in his A History of Chinese Literature in the 20th Century. The achievement lies in the fact that his study deduces from “modernity” as archetype, via “Chinese modernity” as media, the political and ethical “obsession with China.” This is further considered as “Chinese literature modernity,” in which Lu Xun is examined. This shows a careful methodological reflection of Kubin as a senior sinologist. However, in his study, what Kubin attempts to do is nothing but take Chinese literature in the last century to illustrate the interpretation power of his theory of modernity. Consequently, his commentary on Lu Xun is not satisfying at all.