Abstract

At Seventy is May Sarton’s journal of the daily events at her age of seventy. This thesis tends to discuss Sarton’s happiness in her old life and summarize her ways of achieving happiness through a deep analysis of her journal At Seventy. 

This thesis begins with the introduction of the author--May Sarton and the main idea of the whole thesis. In the first chapter, the previous researches on the topic of happiness are covered. It then defines Sarton’s sense of happiness in her old age--for Sarton, happiness is enjoying the course of aging, the beauties of life, the contact with friends and doing what she likes to do. Chapter two focuses on the reflections of Sarton’s happiness in her old life, which is mainly discussed from four aspects--old age and traveling, old age and her attitudes towards aging, old age and life writing, old age and interacting with friends. Sarton travels a lot and enjoys the pleasure of travelling in old age. She has an active attitude towards aging instead of fearing it. As a writer, she enjoys her process of writing, the support of her readers and the comments of critics. In her old age, friends are more like her family, giving her love, warmth and happiness. Chapter three analyzes both positive and negative factors that contribute to Sarton’s sense of happiness in her old life. Finally, the concluding part sums up Sarton’s measures to achieve her happiness in old age, which would be a reference for both the old and young generation.

  Key words: May Sarton; Happiness; Old Life; Aging

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

2. The Definition of Sarton's Happiness-3

2.1. The Previous Researches on the Topic of Happiness-3

2.2. The Definition of Happiness for Sarton-4

3. The Reflections of Sarton’s Happiness in her Old Life-6

3.1. Old Age and Traveling-6

3.2. Old Age and Sarton’s Attitudes towards Aging-7

3.3. Old Age and Life Writing-8

3.4. Old Age and Interacting with Friends-10

4. The Factors that Contribute to Sarton’s Sense of Happiness-12

4.1. Positive Factors-12

4.2. Negative Factors-14

5. Conclusion-15

References-16