The thesis deals with early short stories and novellas by Chinese woman writer Can Xue. The first part of the thesis presents the work of Can Xue in the context of author's life and focuses on finding motifs associated with her life experiences. The second part outlines historical development of Chinese literature in the 80s of the 20th century, observes position of Can Xue in the "avant-garde literature", and describes the writers literary sources of inspiration and authors own view on literary-historical context of her works. The third part is based on the analysis of specific stories. In the context of what other critics have discussed the thesis determines two main approaches to the interpretation of Can Xues work - the political and the psychological. The thesis concludes that there is a significant element of personal experience in Can Xues works. It should not, however, be considered a dominant element, as it mainly serves as means of examining general aspects of human psyche. The introspective nature of Can Xues works is also the key reason why this thesis puts the psychological interpretation of her works above the political interpretation.