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 the beginning of the passage, O-lan takes responsibility for the necessary duties in the household which, “Pleases the man.” The duties that once belonged to Wang Lung, such as gathering enough fuel or tending to his father are now no longer his concern, which pleases him that the woman can complete the housework without any sign of failure. He must have questioned her competence during these particular details, “These things she did without a word and without being commanded to do them,” and “she did not rest,” because if he trusted her abilities, then he would have expected these tasks to be done without failure. Furthermore, O-lan’s silent nature, “without a word,” when she tackles her womanly duties. This is …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