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?

Ahhhhh, women did this all the time throughout history. It wasn't until the 20th Century that lying in bed or the hospital became the normal routine. That's not to say those who could afford to rest didn't, but even in the United States, slaves "dropped" their babies in the cotton fields and continued to work. Was this good for the mother? Absolutely not, I mean please, let the woman have a good meal first...... but was this normal in the Chinese culture O'lan lived in...... yes, and she didn't begrudge it.