|
Jien Zhen is an outstanding writer who focuses on prose writing in Taiwan contemporary literature. Previous studies focused on Jien Zhen's writng techniqe, poetic language and female and local themes. The studies on ultimate concern and life consciousness were rare, even for “Who Is Waiting for You at The Glimmering Place.” “Who Is Waiting for You at The Glimmering Place” presented four life themes- the rotation of birth, senility, illness and death, which form the whole life. Life ended with death, but also because of the restriction of death, that made life plentiful. The dilemma of birth and death urged people to search the meanings of life. Studying Jien Zhen's works in the view of utmost care revealed the richness in contents and thought, and discovered intensive meanings than in the views of reality themes. This study analyzed ultimate concern and life consciousness in “Who Is Waiting for You at The Glimmering Place” by close reading. The study consisted of eight chapters. First, I would discuss Jien Zhen's wrting intentions and ideas on senility and illness, and then discuss her experience and the effects of aging population. Next, I would dicuss themes of life—birth, senility, illness and death in order. “The questions of birth and thought of life” made people get to know the elderly how to face and adapt to the issue of illness and death. Furthermore, in this diverse society with changing values, timeworn ideas would be challenged. I would discuss “lessons for senility—comprehending how to get along with the elderly through personal memories.” “Sickness—the last trial” was seperated into two parts—the elderly and children. In this section, I would discuss the fear the elderly faced when life was going to the end, and the trial children faced as they showed filial piety during the elderly’s sickness. Moreover, “after death— leaving life and comeback of spirit” was about death. Subliming fear of death was a must for realizing life. Finally, through self-conversation and discussion of literature and life-and-death studies, I would research Jien Zhen's aesthetics in her decaying fantasy and death writing, and affirm the human values showed on Jien Zhen's writings on birth, senility, illness and death. Jien Zhen came up with an optimistic life attitude and forward thinking to face regrets in life. Confronting different conditions in life, we should make “Yi” and “Jing” in harmony. Since we could only live and die for once, we should live our life nicely. Though bodies were rotten, love and memories lasted foever.
|