The Good Earth: Wang Lung – A Man of Determination and Loyalty Essay 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 theland. He struggles to move from poverty to a well respected wealthy man. WangLungs character portrays a man’s unselfishness, determination, and loyaltytowards his family and friends.
Wang Lung’s caring and generous nature towards his family and friendsmake him a well-liked person. During the drought Wang Lung feeds the familymembers 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 ofrice which are left over from the season. When the food runs out and thefurniture 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 forhis family. After a 100 mile train ride, they end up in the south. Wang Lungis delighted to find rice for only a penny. While Wang Lung uses the ricksha tomake money for rice, the family eats and begins to regain strength. When allis 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 rathergamble his money away than to spend it on his family. During the drought heshows up in Wang Lung’s fields begging for money. At first Wang Lung refuses todish out money to his uncle.
After a time of arguementing Wang Lung finallygives in. He states ” ‘It is cutting my flesh out to give to him and fornothing except that we are of a blood’ “. (46) Wang Lung is upset that he had togive money to his uncle. Wang Lung didn’t have to give to his uncle, but bydoing 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 theman in the Great House to buy things for the land. He bought seeds to plant anda new beast to plow the fields. Wang Lung figures this will give him what heneeds to work again in the fields. Wang Lung did all he could to make his landbe 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 tobenefit his children.
If Wang Lung is going to buy new land he wants one of hiskids to be literate. He decides to send two of his boys to school so he willhave someone to go with him to the merchants to sell his goods. Wang lung wantsto have a scholar in the family. In addition to sending them to school he makessure they are dressed nice and well mannered. The children later grow up to besmart, kniving men. Though it may not work, Wang Lung tries his best to get themost out of his children.
No matter what situation Wang Lung is in, he makes sure he staysfaithful to his family members. When O-Lan, his wife, wants to sell the youngfool’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 herethan have to sell one of his kids. He feels this will not solve the problemand they will regret it in the long run. Wang Lung was sure his wife didn’tsell the fool, therefore keeping him loyal to his family. During the grandfather’s life, Wang Lung makes sure he is fed and lookedupon by someone.
Pearl S. Buck states that the old man is “. . .
half blind andalmost wholly deaf, and there was no need of speech with him except to ask to befed or to be brought a cup of warm tea. “(120). For this reason, .
