Analysis Of Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth

Pearl S. Buck’s novel, The Good Earth, depicts a poor farmer, Wang Lung, in rural China who has recently married a former slave, O-lan, which has introduced a woman into the household. Throughout the passage, the use of imagery, selection of detail and other instances of persuasive techniques provide the audience with the author’s shifting tone. Through the initial neutral vibe, then to Wang Lung’s critical thoughts, followed by elation creates an instance of character development. This development begins with a woman's value being determined by a derogatory society, but an individual's perspective may change the way they view a social norm. The passage begins with a neutral, yet positive tone due to what Wang Lung expects of O-lan. During …show more content…
The harsh thoughts of Wang Lung begin with nitpicking his wife’s appearance. The narrator uses imagery to describe her features by purposely using adjectives with typically negative connotations, “her big feet.” and “square face.” This illustrates her “ugliness,” however, the author's intent is to show the shallow nature of men during this time period. Continuing with Wang Lung’s thought process, he pictures O-lan as, “a serving maid and nothing more,” which serves as the main factor of how society the true worth of women. Their worth is determined by how they serve and please the men they “belong” to. Although he has negative views of her, inside of him hides an internal curiosity for her, “It should be enough that she fulfilled her duty.” The narrator allows the audience an obvious sense of curiosity while affecting the rest of the passage because of Wang Lung’s slight change in nature. Wang Lung’s character development, also the change in tone, has become evident through that particular detail. The tone has shifted towards a more curious approach, while his development is clear because of the more personal interest he has in her. Towards the end of his thoughts the narrator says, “he was ashamed of his own curiosity and of his interest in her,” which is an important factor to consider. His feeling of shame is due to the society he dwells in and his upbringing, …show more content…
Buck’s novel, The Good Earth, is a poor farmer who receives O-lan, a slave, as a wife. This new change in his life is evident through how the narrator depicts Wang Lung’s emotions. His continuously changing emotions are made obvious through the use of imagery, selection of detail, and the shifting tone. The confusion of Wang Lung’s feelings toward O-lan is brought upon by society’s view of woman, but in this passage, his emotions out rule his own logic when it comes to a woman’s