Quipped by singer Judy Collins, “Suffering is the price of being alive.” In the novel The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, Wang Lung, along with his family, goes through life in 1930s China, experiencing tribulation and prosperity. The Good Earth sends a universal message about a life full of struggle, in hopes to thrive and be successful.
The book, wasting no time with frivolous love stories or fairytale endings, focuses mainly on the hardships of Wang Lung. A poor farmer, he depends heavily on his land. A drought and famine comes, leaving him but no choice to move to the south for his family to live. Wang Lung would do anything for his family. He never wanted to leave his land, but he does what is necessary to keep his loved ones alive. He leaves all of which he knows in search of a better life and opportunity. All can identify with the familial aspect of the novel, empathizing with Wang Lung, wanting nothing but the best for their families. …show more content…
After returning to the farm and becoming rich from stolen jewels, Wang Lung no longer has to work. He is struck with enervation, and seeks out ways to satiate his boredom and indulges himself in the ways of the rich. He purchases a concubine, and a luxurious house; he has everything he ever could want. With his newfound wealth, Wang Lung’s attitude towards others becomes judgmental and he is very demanding, lusting after more of what he already has. Wealth is the deciding factor of status, and Wang Lung wants to make known that he is rich. Unlike his frugal ways in the beginning of the novel, Wang Lung becomes materialistic and careless with his money, always wanting what he did not have. Many privileged people take what they have for granted. They, like Wang Lung, succumb to greed and undergo a change in personality or values, for the sake of
The book, wasting no time with frivolous love stories or fairytale endings, focuses mainly on the hardships of Wang Lung. A poor farmer, he depends heavily on his land. A drought and famine comes, leaving him but no choice to move to the south for his family to live. Wang Lung would do anything for his family. He never wanted to leave his land, but he does what is necessary to keep his loved ones alive. He leaves all of which he knows in search of a better life and opportunity. All can identify with the familial aspect of the novel, empathizing with Wang Lung, wanting nothing but the best for their families. …show more content…
After returning to the farm and becoming rich from stolen jewels, Wang Lung no longer has to work. He is struck with enervation, and seeks out ways to satiate his boredom and indulges himself in the ways of the rich. He purchases a concubine, and a luxurious house; he has everything he ever could want. With his newfound wealth, Wang Lung’s attitude towards others becomes judgmental and he is very demanding, lusting after more of what he already has. Wealth is the deciding factor of status, and Wang Lung wants to make known that he is rich. Unlike his frugal ways in the beginning of the novel, Wang Lung becomes materialistic and careless with his money, always wanting what he did not have. Many privileged people take what they have for granted. They, like Wang Lung, succumb to greed and undergo a change in personality or values, for the sake of