What Is O-Lan's Role In The Good Earth

The Good Earth, by Pearl Buck is set in the early twentieth century in China. During this time period, many rely on the earth to provide them with food, extra produce to sell in order to buy items the land cannot produce, and even for material to build their earthen homes. The Good Earth begins in the humble home of the Wang family on the wedding day of Wang Lung, when Lung is introduced to his wife, O-lan. Throughout O-lan’s lifetime she has been both a street-beggar and a slave. Having experienced such roles, O-lan is equipped with a plethora of skills which benefit the Wang family. O-lan assists Lung in the fields, makes the family’s clothes, ministers to Lung’s elderly father, prepares all of the family’s meals, and cares for her own children. Lung relies upon O-lan as he relies upon the land. In this novel by Pearl Buck, O-lan symbolizes the earth. Much of the Wang family’s success can be attributed to the productive nature of both O-lan and the earth. Prior to the presence of O-lan, the Wang family is “dirt-poor”; whereas when O-lan is present, the family becomes
O-lan could be considered “plain” because she does not desire jewels, exquisite foods, or elaborate clothing. O-lan occasionally requests goods but when she does, her requests are never strenuous. Ensuing the raid of the House of Hwang, O-lan requested two of the pearls that she had stolen to keep for herself. Lung was not reluctant in giving O-lan the pearls by virtue of lack of requests preceding this specific request. O-lan simply wanted the pearls to own something, or to say that she had something for herself. The earth could also be considered “plain” because of the fact that it requires very little, for the reason that the land needs only sunlight, water, and tender-loving-care in order to be prosperous. The earth also seldom requires attention from the Wang family and when the land does, it tends to be out of human