Abstract: The core of Engels’ “typical character in typical environment” lies in the relationship between typical character and typical environment. The attention to the typical environment shows Engels’ requirement of realistic character and historical character of literature. Engels’ viewpoint is to rewrite the viewpoint of Balzac and Belinsky and Engels advocates that the typical mode will be transferred from the character to personality characteristics and social essence. The explanations of posterity often strengthens the typical social essence, deviating from Engels’ original intention. But these explanations deepen people’s understanding of the relationship between typical character and typical environment. If the typical environment is regarded as the environment of the characters’ activity in the text, the relationship between the typical character and the typical environment will get stronger theoretical vitality