Questions About The Good Earth (House of Earth, #1)

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Answered Questions (9)

what is foot-binding that mentioned in this book?

Kat Tanvir Ahmed, I'm sorry, but I must disagree with Kenny Fisher. This cannot be compared to ear piercing! The foot was not just wrapped to keep it from…moreTanvir Ahmed, I'm sorry, but I must disagree with Kenny Fisher. This cannot be compared to ear piercing! The foot was not just wrapped to keep it from growing. The bones were actually broken so as to fold the foot in half, bringing the ball of the foot to the heel of the foot. I know, it doesn't even seem possible, but after reading a novel that talked a lot about it, I decided to research it. It's actually pretty horrifying. It was used to make the foot more "attractive", but it also had a hobbling effect. The women literally could not run or move quickly at all. It's gross, but if your stomach can take it, you should look it up.(less)

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were the characters credible?

Paddy 邱平龙 The book has been written by Buck to introduce China (specifically rural China) to a new audience. She uses Wang Lung as a conduit through which the r…moreThe book has been written by Buck to introduce China (specifically rural China) to a new audience. She uses Wang Lung as a conduit through which the reader can understand the context that she creates. As China was so different to what a 1930s western readership will have experienced, she makes him naive and principled, and quite unlike the other people around him. However, in the end as he (and we) look back on his life, he has behaved exactly how a Chinese of the time might have expected to have lived his life.

We explore this new world through his seemingly fresh eyes. He comes to conclusions and makes decisions that ultimately are Buck's as she tries to navigate her western reader through the complexities of rural China. In this sense, I find Wang Lung to the most non-credible major character in the book. More than any other, he is manipulated by Pearl Buck's inauthentic, orientalist perspective. Having said that, there would have been hardly a better person to undertake a literary endeavour like The Good Earth at that time.

My favourite character was O-Lan. I have met people in rural China who give so little of their personality away that you suspect that they have none.

Pear Blossom was a character that I thought was unusual and not entirely credible. It was another time and another place, and Pear Blossom has a back story which is never elucidated by Buck, so perhaps there are compelling reasons for he to be portrayed as she is. Nonetheless, she appears to be a caricature created straight from Arthur Smith's 1894 best seller and ultimate orientalist dissertation, 'Chinese Characteristics'.(less)

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What is the significance of the quote by Proust at the beginning of the book?

Lidik I feel the quote shows the way any author wants their work to be enjoyed, and I see it as a message to the reader of a desire for them to view this wo…moreI feel the quote shows the way any author wants their work to be enjoyed, and I see it as a message to the reader of a desire for them to view this work of fiction in the same way that Swann views Vinteuil's composition.
That's just my view :)(less)

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I'm currently reading the book (read almost 1/3) but I don't think I saw anywhere the actual time it is taking place. Maybe the 30's that it was first published? Anyone knows?

Rebecca Norris It's a little vague but from what I understood it ended around the 1930's …moreIt's a little vague but from what I understood it ended around the 1930's (less)

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Did any of you like this book? What did you like what did you not like?

Ava Teague I loved this book and read it twice. My brother hated this book and complained about it for months when he was forced to read it for school. To each t…moreI loved this book and read it twice. My brother hated this book and complained about it for months when he was forced to read it for school. To each there own! I like a book that feels immersive and is character driven and quiet (not sure if quiet is the right word, I hope it makes some sense). (less)

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