Wang Lung Characteristics

The Good Earth, a historical fiction novel written by Pearl S. Buck, reveals the many hardships that a poor farmer in pre-revolutionary China experienced. Wang Lung, the farmer, strives to achieve his goals but have characteristics that conflict with each other. Most stick with his moral values, however some traits outdo the others. This book contains many universal truths that one can relate to easily. The characters from the book are representations of people who many observe in life today. Wang Lung has similar characteristics to my brother, Matthew, because they both show a love for family and a desire for status.

Wang Lung displays two strong characteristics:, an affection for family members, and a craving for status. Towards the middle

It is as if half of me were buried there and now it is a different life…” (Buck 195). Although Wang Lung’s affection was not consistent, he ultimately realized the impact O-lan had made in his life. Now that she was gone, he felt as if his life had changed. He started to repent for not appreciating O-lan’s simple and kind loyalty toward him. Wang Lung also realized the difference that O-lan had made in his life, and the great knowledge that she obtained. Unlike other women, she delivered her children herself, and did not require assistance. She also showed her knowledge after moving to the south, when demonstrating that she knew how to build a house and knowing how to beg pitifully. Wang Lung had not fully appreciated O-lan’s good nature until after she was gone. The second trait that shines boldly in Wang Lung is his desire for status.B Right before raiding the rich man’s house, O-lan had told him how much money they could obtain by stealing from rich men. At the word ‘money’, “it came to him clearly… ‘money’ - the child saved- the land” (Buck 103)! While showing love for his daughter, Wang Lung also shows a desire for ranking higher in the social pyramid. He craves money,