The Good Earth

Uncle’s wife protests to Wang Lung that their family shortcomings and failures indicate Uncle’s having a “bad destiny.” In contrast, she says Wang Lung has a “good destiny.” Does fate dictate that some people are failures, dependent on others, and hopeless in their most important endeavors, while others continually succeed? Why or why not? Refer to the text in your answer.

The author portrays Wang Lung as a dutiful person because of custom. The social rules he follows prohibit his marrying without his father’s permission, cutting his hair braid, contradicting his father, and refusing to help his uncle. Is his adherence to custom a strength or a weakness? Why? What similar social rules do today’s young adults face that they’re tempted to violate?

Based on the descriptions of O-lan, Lotus, Cuckoo, and Pear Blossom, what sort of experiences could a common woman expect to endure in the society Buck writes about?