Wang Lung In The Good Earth

In the novel, The Good Earth, the main character, whose name is Wang Lung, lives in early 20th century China and follows the Chinese traditions. There is bloodshed across the country, but his village remains in a time of peace. Lung has an arranged marriage to O-lan, who had been a slave in the House of Hwang. His first child is a son, which is considered very fortuitous in Chinese culture. Also, Lung becomes wealthy, due to his and O-lan’s dedication to their land. Everything begins well for Lung. However, during the novel, Lung undergoes both prosperous and arduous times. The Wang family lives through droughts and famines, as well as times of affluence and prosperity . During all of these times, the reader receives a thorough view into Lung’s character, which is not perfect by any means; however, readers apparently are not bothered by his imperfections. Although flawed, Wang Lung continues to be the character with whom readers identify and sympathize. …show more content…
However, the reader often disregards these imperfections because he is relatable. It is almost as if his faults are the reason readers connect with him. At times, he acts carelessly and impulsively. An example is when, overwhelmed by his sudden wealth, he purchases an ox for far more than it is worth. At other times, he is frugal, and hardworking. He remains wealthy because of his thriftiness with money and his strenuous work on his land. However, there are times when Lung’s desire for wealth and status cause him to make senseless decisions that lead to problems. Yet, the reader acquires such a thorough view of Lung that they still commiserate with him. Throughout the novel, Lung’s authentic character shows because of his virtues and flaws, causing the reader to understand him better and connect with him so strongly. As Henna Inam once stated, “ Our imperfections are what create authentic connections with one