Dynamic Character In Pearl Buck's The Good Earth

In Pearl Buck's, The Good Earth, more dynamic characters come into play throughout the book. O-lan takes the role of an obedient yet strong-minded housewife who was a former slave and is now controlled by her husband, Wang Lung. In this position she doesn't have much of a choice in her actions or decisions and remains loyal to Wang Lung. Her passive behavior causes a lack of emotion and dialogue in the book. Due to this absence of context, she remains a flat character. Although little is known about O-lan’s thoughts, throughout the book small glimpses of her past are shown which give an overall greater meaning, and importance, to her character.
O-lan has shown herself as someone with a low self esteem, who views herself as unlovable and worthless. Hence, she feels, as what she has to think isn't important. Instead of bringing attention to herself, O-lan will be carrying out actions in the background to prevent upsetting her husband. This causes O-lan to be
Through her actions and dialogue, it was able to display how she was keeping the family grounded. Her rash yet beneficial decisions allowed her to be the rock of the family and keep them together. When the family was in need of money and they were in the south they as well as many other families raided the homes of the rich. Wang Lung was able to get enough gold for them to move back to the land. Then, Wang Lung felt a lump inbetween O-lan’s breasts. It turned out to rag that was tied and when he opened it and saw of pile of jewels. O-lan explained how she saw “... a brick loosened in the wall and I slipped there carelessly so no other soul could see and demand a share.” (Buck 145) Nothing was mentioned of O-lan even debating on going to the rich man’s house. Her discrete actions show how she’s always putting family first. Plus her not telling Wang right away shows how she doesn't feel the need to brag nor spend it again showing how she keeps the family in