Research On Philanthropy And Aesthetic Value In The Story Of Sahara

Chinese female writer Sanmao who drew from her own dynamic and unique life experiences has left a mark on the history of Chinese literature. She stuck to own beliefs and ideals on life, sought freedom and love throughouther lifetime, which is reflected in the artistic personality and vitality of her work. This paper studies Sanmao’s life and experiences, analyzes thesymbiotic relationship between the changes in her emotional world and her creativity. Based on one of her classics, The Story of Sahara, this paper analyzes Sanmao’s lifestyle and her world, through the love she is characterized for, marked by the spirit of philanthropy.This paper is divided into three parts. Firstly, to explain Sanmao’sexperiences and literary creativity. Sanmao’s creativity can be summarizedinto three major phases, which follows her emotional development. The firstphase is Sanmao’s adolescent years, before her education or pursuit of literature. The loneliness that accompanied Sanmao’s adolescence years madeSanmao conscious of the concept of death. These feelings and experiences became the impetus for Sanmao’s literature, which often depicts the marginalized as subjects of care and expresses intense love for her family. The second phase is during her travels in pursuit for her ideals and freedom, while she was abroad in pursuit of herself establishes her sense of self and her Chinese identity. The final phase is Sanmao’s life in the city after returning to Taiwan, where Sanmao’s self-destructiveness manifested.The second part is the main subject of analysis, which is Sanmao’s own understanding of eastern and western philanthropy which reveals Sanmao’s love for people and life. Sanmao practices philanthropy through an egalitarianattitude of acceptance when it comes to foreigners and foreign cultures. T his topic is again split into two different parts-first is her love for people. Sanmao’s difficult life in Sahara was her ideal space. In this space, Sanmao was able to transcend her ego, acquired an egalitarian attitude towards her love for human beings and nature, and practiced philanthropy. The second part is the Sanmao’s love for life-her passion of life and meaning behind it.A traditionally Chinese concept, Sanmao’s work of literatureembodies a state of satisfaction with the small things in life. When she was troubled financially,the concept of non-possession inspired Sanmao to enjoy life, as she faced life’s difficulties with a sense of gratification. Sanmao’s life was fueled by a type of happiness and hope that underlined the core values of philanthropy.The third part is the paper compares and contrasts Sanmao to the Koreanwriter Joen Hye-lin, emphasizing the appeal of Sanmao. The last is aboutaesthetic value and creative meaning based on a passage from The Story of Sahara. The characteristics of the subject matter Sanmao discusses and her narration style all root from Sanmao’s love and her disposition to philanthropy, which make The Story of Sahara that more appealing. The Story of Sahara has been loved by many readers because of Sanmao “love-filled”language,and consoled many young readers meandering through modern life by teachingthem the meaning of life and philosophy to living.