introduction

Schmidt is an important writer in contemporary French literature, whose works span across artistic fields such as novels, dramas, and operas, and have won numerous literary and artistic awards. His works integrate philosophy and psychological stories, historical novels, and modern fables, inheriting the tradition of French literature and philosophy, and exploring the true meaning of life through narrative.

1、 Between philosophy and literature

After obtaining a PhD in philosophy from the É cole Normale Sup é rieure in Paris, Schmidt became a philosophy teacher. In 1989, an experience in the Sahara Desert prompted him to turn to literary creation and seek expression beyond reason. In the autobiographical novel 'Night of Fire', he recorded a mysterious experience in the desert, feeling his body split into two entities on the ground and in the air, experiencing transcendent power, overcoming the fear of death, and attempting to define the invisible with words. This experience enabled him to gain a source of thought from his faith, contemplate the relationship between reason and irrationality, agree with Pascal's views on the inherent contradictions of reason, and attempt to transcend the boundaries of reason. Schmidt believed that literary language is more expansive than philosophical discourse, as literature can showcase the connections between things and defend complexity, while philosophy sometimes oversimplifies things. His works are full of passion, exploring the mysteries of life's existence and believing that life is mysterious rather than absurd. Schmidt identifies with the tradition of the convergence of philosophy and literature in the 18th century, and his works possess a dual character of philosophy, literature, and art. He values the position of emotions in philosophy, believing that emotions are the beginning of the intellectual journey and the key to the free world. His works have a romantic color, exploring the emotional world beyond traditional social categories through emotional experiences. Schmidt elucidates philosophical thinking through faith and emotional experience, focuses on the ethical significance of literary works, explores the proposition of human existence in historical contexts, creates or reshapes reality through fiction, and depicts an ideal spiritual home for contemporary Western society.

2、 Reshaping Reality with Fiction

Since the mid-20th century, existentialists such as Sartre have focused on the absurdity of individual existence. Although Schmitt did not experience World War II, he explores issues of existence in his novels, such as disease, life and death, good and evil, desires, and so on. He values the power of fiction as a way to transcend reality and establish a dwelling between dreams and reality. Schmidt's novels are full of humanistic atmosphere, and he regards humanism as the ethical core of writing, reflected in emotional care and narrative diversity. The Egoist School showcases a collage narrative style by embedding historical and philosophical literature, exploring the boundary between fiction and reality. In novels, fiction serves as a new way of existence, providing redemption power for characters. The collection "The Dreamers of Ostande" includes multiple short stories that reflect Schmidt's creative tendencies, such as drawing material from ancient Greek and Roman mythology, using suspense and reversal techniques. In the short story of the same name, Schmidt creates a dual meaning of reality and virtuality, showcasing a unique tension. The unreliability of the narrator 'I' and the sympathetic fiction of Emma's story further defend the truth in the fiction. Schmidt's novels have new fictional features, appearing through fiction itself, resisting realistic imitation, creating or reshaping reality, and defending the freedom and humanistic values of fiction. He focuses on the meaning of dreams to life, believing that the narrative of dreams can nurture new realities, and that characters interpret the essence of life between fiction and reality, possessing an artistic and romantic temperament.

3、 Integrating literature into reality

Schmidt's novel creation centers around the human condition, combining fiction with reality to demonstrate a strong sense of social concern. His works are influenced by "intervention literature", emphasizing the connection between literature and reality, and using literature to trigger social change. Schmidt believed that the main mission of literature is to enlighten, to communicate with reality through text, and to reflect on the issues of the times. When I Am a Work of Art "criticizes the objectification and commodification of the body in consumer society through the story of the protagonist Tazio. Ulysses from Baghdad depicts the survival dilemma of contemporary refugees and explores issues of identity through a parody of Homer's Odyssey. Schmidt attempted to eliminate the boundaries between self and others, reshaping reality through literature and instilling hope in people.

conclusion

The characteristic of Schmidt's novel creation lies in the blended nature of his works, wandering between rationality and sensibility, philosophy and vividness, novels and drama, elites and the masses, seeking balance and generating unique tension. Humanism is the core of its creation, combining emotions with philosophy, focusing on the spiritual world of modern people, and conveying humanistic care through poetic works. Schmidt regards fiction as the second space of individual existence, with the power to subvert the real world, and proposes the concept of existence that transcends the binary of reality and virtuality. He pays attention to the spiritual changes of Western civilization, firmly believes in the practical function of literature, responds to social phenomena with words, and depicts a beautiful vision for the future world. Schmidt's creations are full of compassion and universal love, actively intervening in reality and demonstrating profound humanistic care.