The Snows and China

cctv.com 09-13-2004 15:49

Back in 1920s, a lot of young Americans were having a romantic ambition with literature, and travelled to France to pursue their dreams. Helen Foster, a girl of beauty and talent in her early 20s, however, made up her mind to come to China after reading reports written by Edgar Snow on this ancient land. Far beyond her expectations, this was a decision that changed her life forever.

Sharon Crane(Former Assistant to Helen Snow):

Her personal goal in life was to write the best novel that had ever been written. So she set her standard high as a writer. As a writer, she wanted to learn more experiences by seeing other countries. So she had a fascination to come to see China for herself, to learn about another culture, to learn about another world.

An Wei (President,Xi'an Snow Studies Centre, China):

She was always dreaming to travel to far places, and embark on the road of yellow bricks. That was why she decided to come to China to broaden her vision and enrich her life experiences. So she could return to the United States and write a great book.

In August, 1931, Helen Foster said farewell to her parents, and left for Shanghai, the biggest port in China.

As soon as she arrived in China, she began to witness how this ancient civilization was humiliated and tortured by Japanese invaders. The homeless were everywhere, helpless mothers were weeping and hapless children were wailing. Deeply shocked, Foster took many pictures on the sufferings of the Chinese people with the Kodak camera given to her by her mother. She later had them published in American newspapers.

N: On her second day in Shanghai, Foster arranged to meet and interview Edgar Snow, an American journalist she greatly admired.

Sharon Crane:

Edgar Snow, at that time, was in a very, very low period. He was very sick, had lots of health problem. Also his thinking was very sad, because of what he had seen in China. It was a horrible time in Chinese history. He took it so personally to his heart.

An Wei:

When Helen Foster arrived in Shanghai, Edgar Snow was in his worst state of mind. He got kicked by a donkey during his visit to India. He got infected with ague and felt really bad. Back in Shanghai, he got the news that his mother had just died. Snow loved his mother so much that he didn't want to stay in China for even one more day. During this time, Helen Foster arrived in Shanghai, and came to find Edgar Snow the very next day.

Sharon Crane:

So she was interested just to meet him, to learn from him. He was a journalist. He had written in America. But I think she was really swept off her feet.