The Good Earth: Response 2

Through my experience with reading this novel, The Good Earth, I have come upon situations and people that strike me as very different. One of these people is Wang Lung's uncle. He is constantly asking others for money and trying to get everything given to him. What really makes me angry is the fact that Wang Lung continues to give in every time he is asked. He, of course, realizes, like many other people do, his uncle is extremely lazy and not compelled, by any means, to provide for himself on his own. Wang Lung works long hard days out in hi fields growing food both to sell and to eat. After all those times he asked for money, the uncle comes once again but this time with men who seek to purchase Wang Lung's land--land he put his whole self into, the place he found pride and contentment, his escape from a tragic world. This was all going to be taken away from him. Although, to Wang Lung, it was more important that his family got food. For they had been starving for days.

Wang Lung ended up selling his furniture for a small price; it had been more money than he had held in a long time. I think there is something wrong with this. The House of Hwang possessed more money than any other villager had really ever seen before. Why then don't they even think to help just a little? Wang Lung's family was forced to go to the south in search of food to survive when this fruitful house is plentiful with food.

As I was reading I found that it is noticed more and more how strong and wise O'lan is. For, not once did she break down, not knowing what to do. She kept her head high. Even when she was forced to beg, she did it with pride and perseverance--not afraid of what tomorrow might bring. I find a role model in these type of women. When I compare myself to the heroes I find that I am weak and the only way to become such a woman as that, is to take risks and go on, even when life is tough.

Trickling World by Olivia Ritchie

Bubbling, trickling.

These sounds come alive,

silently but echoing to my ear.

Peace you feel at times,

so hard to understand.

For God made this natural wonder,

we learn to appreciate and treasure

each moment we spend in aw observing.

Busy city racing by,

creating a picture very different.

Longing to stay right here

for eternity,

we can't.

People must be among people.

But we continue to come back

to this place where we found happiness

for just a second.

Counting on the water to bring us hope

that somewhere a brighter tomorrow lives

with open arms.

All of the tragedy surrounding the world

may someday resolve,

though we wait for that time to come.

We will always come back to this place

see ourselves again

as innocent.

No one will hurt us here

everything and everyone is calm.

The waves of fear and pain

cannot hit us in this private get away.

This is where the world may someday

find itself again.

The Good Earth

After reading the first chapter of The Good Earth I can't quite grasp the huge difference that is present between modern day and historical China. Some of the happenings brought to my attention were almost too hard to handle. One humbling event that was apparent to me was when Wang Lung took O'lan to their 'marriage ceremony'; there was no sense of excitement and it seemed obvious that neither of them seemed happy or even comfortable with being there. To even get married at present time it is critical that you love the other person; I can't even fathom the fact that marriage, in that time and place, was almost never because of a strong, loving connection between two people, but only so that one day children might inherit the land that was owned by their father. A large symbol of this unloving situation was at the very end of the chapter when Wang Lung forces the woman to "become one with him". This occurrence was shocking. Now we would consider such a happening abuse. I see no normalcy when I think of this situation therefore I believe it falls under the category of tragedy. Although the strong religion the people of China have, the season, and the joyful nature leads me to believe maybe there is hope. "Now it was as if Heaven had chosen this day to wish him well. Earth would bear fruit."



In America it is stressed that every man is treated equally but in China it is found that the rich are the rich and the poor are the poor and it seems as though it is meant to stay that way. Money is a great issue for Wang Lung. The gate keeper at the House of Hwang looks at his food and immediately says it is equivalent to what is fed to the dogs. I find this an extremely cruel thing to say, yet Wang Lung takes it in as if it has been said to him everyday of his life. Being in such a large home with such exquisite art and clothing all around Wang Lung feels insecure and is given no respect--just as women are given no respect in that time. I feel this story will transform into a life lesson about respect and love between people. For even in the darkest places people have found love and it has changed them wholly as a person.

Princess in a Castle

As it glitters in the humidity. I walk, carefully but sure of myself. I've found a confidence I had never experienced before. My back is forced straight, I step forward. A chill runs up my spine. I'm not sure why but I feel stronger each step. As though I could run straight through a wall. My dress drags behind me making it hard to walk but I go on. The winding stairs seem to go on forever. Not knowing when I might see a sign of human flesh again in this grey, dreary hallway. I descend carefully, conscious of the fact I could fall at any moment. Careful but silent. I hear the wind through the slender diamond windows on either side of me. The smell of nature outside that I have never really seen before. I finally come to the balcony and look over the ledge, I see the kingdom-- the place I've always felt a sense of belonging. People wave and cheer. Yelling my name. It feels like I am as high as heaven itself. I sparkle with silk. Every last inch of my fragile body covered with this glamorous fabric. No worries upon this pedestal. For this is my home. And I will live up to my potential and make all these gracious and trusting people proud. I am the princess and this is my castle. I strive to make my piece of this world a better place.

Murder Revenge

Through reading this book many historical issues were revealed to me, one of them being women's right. In the short story, A Jury of Her Peers, women are treated with no respect and are left alone day after day. I can easily believe Mrs. Wright murdered her husband out of anger, not only did he possibly strangle her bird--her only friend and joy in the world-- but he forced her to stay in that old, creepy house alone everyday. Insanity got the better of this poor woman and I question whether she committed this terrible act of murder only to get the chance to see people once again. Although I can't be sure seeing and talking to people would have even been able to help her at that point. Several times Mrs. Hale referred to how disappointed she was that she didn't even have the heart to visit the poor woman once. There's no way to know if that would have helped Minnie Foster or not. She had gotten to such an extreme state of insanity that she killed her husband and practically admitted that she committed this crime. Since the poor woman was in such a critical state I think Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale had a deep sympathy for the woman. The way they hid the evidence they had found from the men brought me to the conclusion they cared for Mrs. Wright and only wanted to protect her from struggling through the remainder of her days in a jail cell with many other insane women. Though at this time women were treated badly and with no respect. I'm sure that no one would care if Mrs. Wright were to go to jail, but I think that when Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters found all those clues it was symbolizing the hidden strength of women and the power they would soon have. Minnie Foster displayed with her actions that women do have the power to rise above men. Since her husband took away her source of happiness she decided to get him back and show him how much he hurt her. The bird was her only source of light and freedom and her only way to become content once again was to put her husband through the same misery.