The Good Earth
Wang Lung's life story serves as a study of traditional values. Wang Lung is intensely devoted to traditional Chinese respectful dedication, so he exhibits utter respect and obedience to the older generation even when his greedy, lazy uncle abuses the system. The sense of superiority toward the Chinese is common among the families; he brings about the authority of men over woman. Although he does not show it in a strong inferior manner, he does display it. When Wang Lung first met O-Lan they exchange few words but are pleased with one another. Although Wang Lung does not see O-Lan as beautiful he is overjoyed with the thought of him and her starting a family. He begins to find fault with O-Lan's appearance and cruelly criticizes her for having big feet. He is a typical man who searches for outer beauty instead of her inner beauty. Yet he is pleased to have her work so hard as a woman should in China. But When O-Lan becomes terminally ill, Wang Lung regrets his cruel words and comes to appreciate everything she has done or him. Through O-Lan,
s. However, Wang Lung's transformation is not complete. He is somewhat ashamed of his behavior. Buck emphasizes the crucial financial contributions women make to their families. And yet in Wang Lung's rejection of O-Lan she also demonstrates how, ironically, the value men place on a woman is inversely equivalent to that woman's ability to be helpful and productive. The basic role of women in The Good Earth was a servile one. Whether she was a wife working in the house and fields, or a prostitute, a concubine, or a rich wife. Rich or poor the woman's principle duty was to bear sons. A wife must, no matter how strong she may be, abide to her husband's command when it comes down to it. Pearl Buck used the women in this novel to portray the lower status of women in traditional China. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ who they are and not make them into something else. As other men from China would. He becomes obsessed with a beautiful, delicate prostitute with bound feet named, Lotus Flower, and he even
Some common words found in the essay are:
Wang Lung, Wang Lung's, Lung O-Lan, wang lung, Pear Blossom, Pearl Buck, Afterwards Lotus, Little Fool, O-Lan Buck, Lotus Flower, wang lung's, Master Hwang, pear blossom, little fool, pearl buck, poor little, concubine wang, poor little fool, o-lan's appearance,
Approximate Word count = 710
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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