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The Good Earth Questions & Answers

by Pearl S. Buck

The Good Earth was published in 1931. It was an immediate hit and has remained Buck's most well-known text. The novel has been translated into more than thirty different languages. Buck won the Pulitzer Prize for this work in 1932. The Good Earth was based on a short story the author had published…

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Questions about The Good Earth

 
Chapter 28: If you were Wang Lung, would you lend money to your villagers with high interests or buy land from cheap price in such situation?
Posted by pheaktra c #254891
Last updated by: pheaktra c #254891 on Jul 23, 2012 3:05 AM
Answers: 2
 
In chapter 28, in your opinion, was Wang Lung right to to buy lots of slaves to keep in his house? Explain, if you were Wang Lung would you do the same? Why or Why not?
Posted by pheaktra c #254891
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 20, 2012 7:46 AM
Answers: 1
 
At the beginning of Chapter 6, it says "this piece of land which Wang Lung now owned was a thing which greatly change his life." Talk about how this metaphor for prosperity grows throughout the first 100 pages.
Posted by jackie m #259199
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 4:01 PM
Answers: 1
 
What do you think about the fact that O-lan refuses to have anyone with her during the birth of her first child? She continues working and rises the day after birth to prepare breakfast. What is your impression of this attitude?
Posted by jackie m #259199
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 3:33 PM
Answers: 1
 
Talk about your impressions of the simple life of Wang Lung. Doses it seem appealing to you? What specifics about Chinese traditions or culture do you learn early in the novel?
Posted by jackie m #259199
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 3:27 PM
Answers: 1
 
Much of the latter part of the novel is taken up with death, marriage and procreation. Discuss what you have learned from this book about the Chinese culture in relation to these major life milestone.
Posted by jackie m #259199
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 3:21 PM
Answers: 1
 
Wang lung describes as "rich and powerful and a man of good heart," yet he begins to buy slaves in lieu of land.(p.283) What do you think about this practice, especially in relation to what you know about wang lung's attachment to the land?
Posted by jimmy p #259175
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 2:19 PM
Answers: 1
 
Wang lung describes as "rich and powerful and a man of good heart," yet he begins to buy slaves in lieu of land.(p.283) What do you think about this practice, especially in relation to what you know about wang lung's attachment to the land? is your answer
Posted by jimmy p #259175
Last updated by: jimmy p #259175 on Jul 19, 2012 1:50 PM
Answers: 0
 
Despite the many mistakes he has made in his lifetime, Wang lung has wise words for his sons in his final day. how do you read the novel's ending, where the brothers seem to have other plans that their father's instructions?
Posted by jimmy p #259175
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 12:38 PM
Answers: 1
 
what is the message of this story?
Posted by jimmy p #259175
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 12:35 PM
Answers: 1
 
in many way, we are privy to Wang lung's entire lifecycle in this novel. talk about how many different he is old age as compared to when he first married o-lan.
Posted by jimmy p #259175
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 12:33 PM
Answers: 1
 
think about how the character's relationship with money impacts the courses of critical scenes. who do you feel has the best relationship with money?
Posted by jimmy p #259175
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 11:51 AM
Answers: 1
 
Wang lung spends a lot of time justifying to himself the way he treats his wife. talk about why you think he doesnt simplytreat her with more fairness or kindness until she is ob her deathbed.
Posted by lucus c #259105
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 7:49 AM
Answers: 1
 
why do you suppose the author chose to draw out o-lan's death when so many other actions in the novel are very swift? Discuss your final fellings about o-lan.
Posted by lucus c #259105
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 7:40 AM
Answers: 1
 
Talk about the way Wang lung thinks about and treats her sons. how do you feel this shows either cultural or generational differences? Do you feel his sons deserve the treatment they got?
Posted by lucus c #259105
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 7:34 AM
Answers: 3
 
the land always provides a solace for wang lung. Discuss at least three passages from the first half of the novel that talk about the land and what it means to the novel's main character.
Posted by lucus c #259105
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 19, 2012 7:17 AM
Answers: 1
 
discuss the conversation between o-lan and wang lung on page 239-240. how has their dynamic change? how do you fell about o-lan suggesting her son should be sent away?
Posted by lucus c #259105
Last updated by: lucus c #259105 on Jul 19, 2012 2:19 AM
Answers: 0
 
think about Wang lung's fixation on lotus. Why do you think his relationship with her is so important to him? how do you expect it will resolve?
Posted by lucus c #259105
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 18, 2012 8:12 PM
Answers: 1
 
what do you think of some of the tangential characters Wang lung's father uncle, old mistress and uncle wife? Do you find it curious that none of them have names?
Posted by lucus c #259105
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 18, 2012 7:44 PM
Answers: 1
 
Poverty and starvation are depicted in stark term. what are your feelings about the hardship wang ling's family and province-endured in the middle of this section?
Posted by lucus c #259105
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 18, 2012 7:41 PM
Answers: 1
 
In Chapter 9, Wang lung cries recklessly, "oh, you are to wicked, you old man in heaven!" Talk about this in relation to other religious elements in the book so far. what does the chinese attitude towards religion seem to be?
Posted by carol s #259017
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 18, 2012 7:33 PM
Answers: 1
 
Talk about the family's sojourn away from their land and the injustice of wang lung's treatment by those in his society who have more.
Posted by carol s #259017
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 18, 2012 7:31 PM
Answers: 1
 
Discuss the turmoil in the city, the "strange talk about" that implies that there is civil unrest. what do you think of the turmultuous life Wang lung and his family lead?
Posted by carol s #259017
Last updated by: carol s #259017 on Jul 18, 2012 6:56 PM
Answers: 4
 
Talk about the family's changes of fortunes. what does its force them to confront about their culture and themselves?
Posted by carol s #259017
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 18, 2012 9:41 AM
Answers: 2
 
talk about the transition the family makes from the country to the city. what do you find interesting about wang lung's impressions of city life? why do you think its so important to him to " get back to the land"?
Posted by carol s #259017
Last updated by: jill d #170087 on Jul 18, 2012 9:31 AM
Answers: 1
 

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