She envies the scholars of the past for the vast and variegated quality of their lives. The great Su Dongpo, for one, was a scholar, government official, poet, essayist; he devised a solution to control flooding. They could grow into complete people, wise and committed to righteousness. Although famous for her prose, she has also made substantial contributions to theater.
說話極女人味但個性帶著豪俠之氣的張曉風說，很羨慕古代文人的生命範疇是如此廣而自由，例如蘇東坡可以讀書、做官、寫詩、寫散文，還可以治水患，成為全方位的人，「一切照道理走」。