Hsiao Tzu-hsien (489-537) is quite often quoted by students of literature but seldom explored in depth. Chiefly a historian, Hsiao probably had less influence upon the literary scene of the Liang Dynasty than other critics such as Liu Hsieh, Chung Hung, Shen Yüeh, and Hsiao T'ung. Nevertheless, his discussion of the development of the five-character poem is terms of his innovative literary concepts. This article attempts to examine Hsiao's criticism in such areas as the definition of literature, the motivation for creative writing, the formation of imagination, the genre theories, the role of the five-charater poem in the development of literature, and the principles underlying the writing of five-character poem. It is hoped that this detailed analysis of a minor critic will contribute to the understanding of the literary criticism of the Six Dynasties.