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Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth
Clear and to the point, Monarch Notes provide students and interested readers with an excellent supplement for the understanding and appreciation of the world's great writing. Each volume helps the reader to encounter the original work more fully by placing it in historical context, focusing on the important aspects of the text, and posing key questions.
Monarch Notes
Background on the author and the work Detailed plot summary Character analysis Major themes in the work Critical reception of the work Questions and model answers Guide to further study
Monarch Notes
Background on the author and the work Detailed plot summary Character analysis Major themes in the work Critical reception of the work Questions and model answers Guide to further study
- GenresChina
78 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1986
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Donald Roden
5 booksDonald Roden is an associate professor of history at Rutgers University. He is mostly known for his efforts in combating the prison recidivism rate through a means of education. He is the founder of Rutgers' Mountainview Prison Project, a program that recruits and prepares ex-offenders during their incarceration, and supports their pursuit of an undergraduate degree at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, after their release. Since 2005, he is responsible for the admittance of over 30 ex-offenders into Rutgers University, many of which have attained their bachelor's degree. Donald Roden has also written about a variety of subjects dealing with East Asian history including Japanese baseball, Taisho culture, and foreigners in Meiji Japan.
He was awarded in 2006 for 30 years of service to Rutgers. 2012 marked the most successful year during the program's short existence. Roden was the recipient of The Ernest E. McMahon-Class of 1930 Award, and one of six other recipients for the 2012 Human Dignity Award, both at Rutgers University.
His book Schooldays in Imperial Japan: A Study in the Culture of a Student Elite was reviewed in numerous journals. He also authored a number of Monarch Notes for that publisher.
He was awarded in 2006 for 30 years of service to Rutgers. 2012 marked the most successful year during the program's short existence. Roden was the recipient of The Ernest E. McMahon-Class of 1930 Award, and one of six other recipients for the 2012 Human Dignity Award, both at Rutgers University.
His book Schooldays in Imperial Japan: A Study in the Culture of a Student Elite was reviewed in numerous journals. He also authored a number of Monarch Notes for that publisher.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 2, 2016
being set in imperial China with all the biases they had (towards women, other races, etc.) Pearl writing style made it seem normal. Nit only that, but the writing shift that occurred to make us feel a certain way toward Wang Lung was so subtle but was so genius. the feeling this book gave to me was lots of melancholy as we see Wang lung's character shift and change
October 2, 2015
I'm glad I finally read this classic. The story of poor Chinese farmer Wang Lung, and his faithful wife, O-lan and their struggles to wrest a good life from the land was told in deceptively simple language yet touched on profound and universal themes.
January 18, 2023
The story is simple enough – A Chinese peasant farmer, through persistent hard work and industriousness, finally is able to enjoy the life of a rich man. By tracing the life of the main character, Wang Lung, Pearl S. Buck shows us not only the deep attachment of the farmers to the land, but also a glimpse of 19th Century China, as well as a view of human nature itself. The richness of the culture is masterfully borne out by the simple language. Somehow it is just not possible to lay down the book after reading the first few pages about this uneducated but honest peasant.
Each of the characters in "The Good Earth" is definitely stereotyped. Wang Lung is the naive country laborer who performs his filial and paternal duties as is expected of him. His uncle typifies those greedy, shameless relatives who always show up at inopportune times. The harlots act the way they are supposed to. The reader can readily discern and easily criticize such set and cast characterization. And yet, it nevertheless provides the necessary framework for the story Buck wants to tell.
Buck’s understanding of China equals that of a native Chinese, she having grown up and lived in China for extended periods of time. “The Good Earth” and “Dragon Seed” arise out of her desire to share with us what she knows about this great country of over four thousand years. Constantly battered by wars, plagues, floods and droughts, most peasant farmers lead a wretched life. They toil and slave in return for a mere subsistence. All the earth gods, kitchen gods and fortune gods silently look on as people starve, die or trade their children to kill for meat. Still, they are beheld with esteem and fear. Buck also tells of the presence of Westerners in China and the attempt to preach Christianity to the Chinese people. To the illiterate and ignorant, such as Wang Lung, Western influence apparently has little or no impact. Similarly, the peasants do not share the idealism touted by the students and the revolutionists. They feel lucky if they are able to escape being grabbed by the army to become targets in the battlefield.
All the hardship and suffering have made the Chinese the more tenacious. One generation is to improve upon the other – there is always hope. Although Wang Lung does not even know how to sign his own name, he makes sure his children are educated. Wang Lung’s father remains a modest farmer after a lifetime’s hard work, but Wang Lung later becomes a rich landlord. Whereas drought has once left Wang Lung penniless and near starvation, later he has leaned to stow up supplies in preparation for a devastating flood.
It is not Buck’s intention to idealize Wang Lung, however. After Wang Lung becomes rich, he does not share the happier, easier life with his faithful wife and partner, O Lan, but takes on a whore as a concubine. His unjust mistreatment of O Lan and the favoritism he shows toward his concubine are despicable. Wang Lung himself is aware of his debt to O Lan. Being human, he simply cannot help it. And a very good excuse he gives himself – he is just doing what a rich Chinese person at that time is expected to do.
With all the descriptions of famine, ransacking, consumption of opium and polygamy, one may wonder whether there is danger of Buck’s presenting a bad image of China to the Western world. Let us not forget, however, that the story is centered on the life of a peasant. Buck does occasionally touch upon such virtues as neighborliness, filial piety and true friendship. Much of China’s greatness lies in its culture and literature, which are not part of a peasant’s life. It is therefore understandable that such merits do not shine through this particular book.
As the title of this book reveals, “The Good Earth” is about the land and Mother Nature, which support life in China, or, for that matter, in any other country. In fact, the “goodness” of the earth is embodied in the unforgettable character of O Lan. A person of few words, she quietly and diligently helps Wang Lung farm his land and nourishes his children. In difficult times, it is she who shows true courage and wisdom. She is always giving and never asks for anything in return. In China, such selflessness, supportiveness and resourcefulness are indeed expected if a virtuous woman. Just as a good harvest hinges on the nourishment provided by the land, so does the well-being of a family depend upon the unfailing support provided by the dutiful wife. Throughout this book, the importance of the land is stressed time and again. Although in the end it seems like Wang Lung’s children are going to depart from the tradition and do away with the land, the theme of the book has taken root in the reader’s mind: People may come and go; nations may rise and fall, but the good earth will always be there for those who count on it.
Each of the characters in "The Good Earth" is definitely stereotyped. Wang Lung is the naive country laborer who performs his filial and paternal duties as is expected of him. His uncle typifies those greedy, shameless relatives who always show up at inopportune times. The harlots act the way they are supposed to. The reader can readily discern and easily criticize such set and cast characterization. And yet, it nevertheless provides the necessary framework for the story Buck wants to tell.
Buck’s understanding of China equals that of a native Chinese, she having grown up and lived in China for extended periods of time. “The Good Earth” and “Dragon Seed” arise out of her desire to share with us what she knows about this great country of over four thousand years. Constantly battered by wars, plagues, floods and droughts, most peasant farmers lead a wretched life. They toil and slave in return for a mere subsistence. All the earth gods, kitchen gods and fortune gods silently look on as people starve, die or trade their children to kill for meat. Still, they are beheld with esteem and fear. Buck also tells of the presence of Westerners in China and the attempt to preach Christianity to the Chinese people. To the illiterate and ignorant, such as Wang Lung, Western influence apparently has little or no impact. Similarly, the peasants do not share the idealism touted by the students and the revolutionists. They feel lucky if they are able to escape being grabbed by the army to become targets in the battlefield.
All the hardship and suffering have made the Chinese the more tenacious. One generation is to improve upon the other – there is always hope. Although Wang Lung does not even know how to sign his own name, he makes sure his children are educated. Wang Lung’s father remains a modest farmer after a lifetime’s hard work, but Wang Lung later becomes a rich landlord. Whereas drought has once left Wang Lung penniless and near starvation, later he has leaned to stow up supplies in preparation for a devastating flood.
It is not Buck’s intention to idealize Wang Lung, however. After Wang Lung becomes rich, he does not share the happier, easier life with his faithful wife and partner, O Lan, but takes on a whore as a concubine. His unjust mistreatment of O Lan and the favoritism he shows toward his concubine are despicable. Wang Lung himself is aware of his debt to O Lan. Being human, he simply cannot help it. And a very good excuse he gives himself – he is just doing what a rich Chinese person at that time is expected to do.
With all the descriptions of famine, ransacking, consumption of opium and polygamy, one may wonder whether there is danger of Buck’s presenting a bad image of China to the Western world. Let us not forget, however, that the story is centered on the life of a peasant. Buck does occasionally touch upon such virtues as neighborliness, filial piety and true friendship. Much of China’s greatness lies in its culture and literature, which are not part of a peasant’s life. It is therefore understandable that such merits do not shine through this particular book.
As the title of this book reveals, “The Good Earth” is about the land and Mother Nature, which support life in China, or, for that matter, in any other country. In fact, the “goodness” of the earth is embodied in the unforgettable character of O Lan. A person of few words, she quietly and diligently helps Wang Lung farm his land and nourishes his children. In difficult times, it is she who shows true courage and wisdom. She is always giving and never asks for anything in return. In China, such selflessness, supportiveness and resourcefulness are indeed expected if a virtuous woman. Just as a good harvest hinges on the nourishment provided by the land, so does the well-being of a family depend upon the unfailing support provided by the dutiful wife. Throughout this book, the importance of the land is stressed time and again. Although in the end it seems like Wang Lung’s children are going to depart from the tradition and do away with the land, the theme of the book has taken root in the reader’s mind: People may come and go; nations may rise and fall, but the good earth will always be there for those who count on it.
April 28, 2022
I read this book as a teenager and now in my 70’s it was chosen by my Library Book Group to read in April for the May discussion. It was written in 1931 by a woman … and the book won the Pulitzer! Amazing for that time period.
The story is of rural China where an farmer, Wang Lung and his selfless wife, O-lan live with their many children. They must endure famine, floods, locusts, birth with no midwife, death, and hard work to survive. Wang Lung loves the land like no other and his goal is to buy land as he believes with land they will prosper. His sons do not share this tie to the earth and talk about silver and what they will buy.
The story is of rural China where an farmer, Wang Lung and his selfless wife, O-lan live with their many children. They must endure famine, floods, locusts, birth with no midwife, death, and hard work to survive. Wang Lung loves the land like no other and his goal is to buy land as he believes with land they will prosper. His sons do not share this tie to the earth and talk about silver and what they will buy.
July 21, 2017
Am glad i read this as a teenager. Introduced early by my father.
August 22, 2015
Set in rural China prior to the Revolution and World War II, it tells the life story of Wang Lung, a farmer who becomes prosperous through hard work and devotion to the land. He marries, helps to raise a large family and invests any profits he makes into buying more farmland. This is despite a long list of trials and tribulations that include famine, drought, floods, war, an evil uncle, ungrateful sons and falling in lust with younger women.
May 19, 2015
I thought it was amazing! She was way ahead of her time.
This book was written 1931 by a women and it won a Pulitzer...
She is brillant and her writing is creative and touching. It is a classic for a reason.. Read this you will not be disappointed..
This book was written 1931 by a women and it won a Pulitzer...
She is brillant and her writing is creative and touching. It is a classic for a reason.. Read this you will not be disappointed..
October 12, 2016
It is no surprise that this book has five stars.
It just blew me away. It is such an incredibly good book.
I have read almost all of her books, but this one in particular was a favorite. I had read this book in high school, but re read it a few years ago. The movie is so good.
It just blew me away. It is such an incredibly good book.
I have read almost all of her books, but this one in particular was a favorite. I had read this book in high school, but re read it a few years ago. The movie is so good.
September 30, 2013
I enjoyed reading The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck because it tells you more about China and how people live there from a made up family.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews