Essay/Term paper: The good earth: wang lung - a man of determination and loyalty

Essay, term paper, research paper:  World Literature

The Good Earth: Wang Lung - A Man of Determination and Loyalty


Pearl S. Buck shows her readers the many faces of Wang Lung in her book,
The Good Earth. Wang Lung is a rice farmer who gains all his wealth through the
land. He struggles to move from poverty to a well respected wealthy man. Wang
Lungs character portrays a man's unselfishness, determination, and loyalty
towards his family and friends.
Wang Lung's caring and generous nature towards his family and friends
make him a well-liked person. During the drought Wang Lung feeds the family
members first and leaves what little is left for himself. Though it is hard,
Wang Lung manages to survive the drought. He feeds the family small portions of
rice which are left over from the season. When the food runs out and the
furniture and equipment are sold, Wang Lung decides to make a harsh decision.
He decides to lock up and move south. There he hopes to find food and money for
his family. After a 100 mile train ride, they end up in the south. Wang Lung
is delighted to find rice for only a penny. While Wang Lung uses the ricksha to
make money for rice, the family eats and begins to regain strength. When all
is well, Wang Lung returns home to start his life all over.
Also during the drought Wang Lung spares food and money for his uncle,
uncles's wife and their son. The uncle is a poor old gambler who would rather
gamble his money away than to spend it on his family. During the drought he
shows up in Wang Lung's fields begging for money. At first Wang Lung refuses to
dish out money to his uncle. After a time of arguementing Wang Lung finally
gives in. He states " 'It is cutting my flesh out to give to him and for
nothing except that we are of a blood' ".(46) Wang Lung is upset that he had to
give money to his uncle. Wang Lung didn't have to give to his uncle, but by
doing so he kept peace with his him.
Wang Lung's persistence to succeed carries him to a higher level in life.
With such an attitude he is determined to regain his wealth after the drought.
On the way home from down south, Wang Lung used the gold he had taken from the
man in the Great House to buy things for the land. He bought seeds to plant and
a new beast to plow the fields. Wang Lung figures this will give him what he
needs to work again in the fields. Wang Lung did all he could to make his land
be a success. By doing so he made money, and money meant more land.
Wang Lung puts all extra money either back into the land or spends it to
benefit his children. If Wang Lung is going to buy new land he wants one of his
kids to be literate. He decides to send two of his boys to school so he will
have someone to go with him to the merchants to sell his goods. Wang lung wants
to have a scholar in the family. In addition to sending them to school he makes
sure they are dressed nice and well mannered. The children later grow up to be
smart, kniving men. Though it may not work, Wang Lung tries his best to get the
most out of his children.
No matter what situation Wang Lung is in, he makes sure he stays
faithful to his family members. When O-Lan, his wife, wants to sell the young
fool's life for food and money, Wang Lung stops her and will hear nothing of it.
While O-lan thinks this, Wang Lung says to her he would rather live down here
than have to sell one of his kids. He feels this will not solve the problem
and they will regret it in the long run. Wang Lung was sure his wife didn't
sell the fool, therefore keeping him loyal to his family.
During the grandfather's life, Wang Lung makes sure he is fed and looked
upon by someone. Pearl S. Buck states that the old man is "...half blind and
almost wholly deaf, and there was no need of speech with him except to ask to be
fed or to be brought a cup of warm tea."(120). For this reason, he is in need
of someone to be a nurse to him. The old man is not able to live on his own,
therefore Wang Lung is sure that there is always someone there to look after his
father.
Pearl S. Buck elucidates the character of Wang Lung in many ways. She
gives him a wide array of personalities that the reader can dictate into a
unique man. Through his experiences with Lotus to his wealthieness as a Great
Man, Buck draws a mental picture of it all in the book, The Good Earth.