The Good Earth Analysis

In The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck, the symbol of land is so dominant that it permeates and ties together the entire story. O-lan acts as a representation of the land. The novel goes beyond her superficial features which resemble that of the earth. O-lan is described as having a brown hue, a simple, intent disposition, and an abounding inner life. O-lan’s practicality, perseverance, and fertility all embody the giving facets of the land. Just like O-lan, the earth is constantly supporting life and showing its resourceful nature. The pivotal role O-lan and the land play both seem to taper in Wang Lung’s view, and is put aside until they each reach a point of declination. Wang Lung views both O-lan and the land as important entities in his life, however he constantly values his land over his wife.

In the beginning of The Good Earth, Wang Lung is constantly focused about working his fields, plowing the soil, and harvesting his crops. Even when O-lan tells Wang she is with child once again, he is only solicitous about the land. He is angered by the idea that O-lan won’t be able to help in the field during this time. This is a problem since they now have new land to farm. “…and when Wang Lung perceived one day

that again she was with child, his first thought was of aggravation that during the harvest she would be unable to work.”(56) This quote depicts Wang Lung’s inconsideration towards O-lan’s welfare and shows that the earth was the cynosure of his concern.
As the novel progresses, Wang Lung elucidates the importance of the land.

The earth seems to be a constance solace for him. Wang Lung’s actions illustrate how the land was of high significance to him, even more so than his wife. “Before a handful of days had passed it seemed to Wang Lung that he had never been away from his land, as indeed, in his heart he never had."(138) This quote shows that Wang Lung’s heart was sincerely with his land. It shows the strong relationship between the two. This connection is able to overpower the relationship of Wang Lung and his own wife. Never has he spoken so highly of O-lan as he did his land. Throughout many instances in the novel, Wang Lung places more attention towards the well-being of his land than that of

O-lan.
Another example in which Wang Lung shows he cares more for his land than his wife is when the swarm of locust came. As soon as he realizes locust are coming, he takes immediate action to save his land. “‘Now for our good land we will fight these enemies from the skies!”’(232) Knowing of the destructive capability of the locust to his crops, Wang Lung takes many precautions such as building moats, setting fires, and fighting them off himself. He is so determined to save his land that he not only gathered his laborers to protect the earth against these grasshoppers, but stood outside and fought them off himself. However, he fails to recognize O-lan's critical role in his life until she is on the verge of death. For many months O-lan has shown signs of sickness and pain, yet Wang Lang has disregarded it. Whenever anyone asked O-lan how she was doing she would respond by saying ‘There is a fire in my vitals.’” (239) Wang Lung thought nothing of this, and continued about his day. Not until her suffering becomes too pronounced to ignore does Wang Lung take notice. By then, it is too late.
Wang Lung once again shows his heedlessness towards O-lan and his undivided attention towards the land.
Pearl S. Buck is successfully able to incorporate O-lan as a representation of the land in order to show their individual connections to Wang Lung. Throughout the entire novel, Wang Lung acts upon his strong relationship with the land, and ignores the one between his wife. The land’s fruitfulness and supportive qualities are what attract Wang Lung to the earth. Yet, O-lan has all those qualities and more. Her down-to-earth personality, practicality, and physical attributes each embody that of the land. However, Wang Lung persistently values his land over his own wife.