Abstract: The theory of “instructionl with pleasure” is a long-established traditional concept in the history of the Western literature that touts the educational and utilitarian functions of literature. In the 19^th century, Romanticism put forth a theoretical claim and creative concept that defined literature as “non-utilitarian” and an “art for art's sake”, rejected the educational and other social functions of literature, and launched a revolutionary “rebellion” against the theory of “edutainment” and the pursuit of educational and utilitarian functions of literature, both of which had lasted for more than 2000 years. Moreover, such a theoretical commitment is profoundly significant in the history of literature because it exerted a deep influence on the literature of the “End of the Century” and the Modernist literature in the 20^th century, and initiated an aesthetic tradition of Modernism in the Western literature. However, the educational function is part of the inherent nature of literature. Although Romanticism started the modernistic aesthetic tradition in the history of Western literature through its revolutionary “rebellion,” the educational function and utilitarian nature of its writings never completely disappeared. This is the “destiny” that literature, as an artistic form, can never discard or surpass.

Key words: Romanticism, educational function, art for art's sake, non-utilitarian, utilitarian