Wealth, you say? Well, that’s a tricky word, indeed. What can it mean? It can mean a bed to sleep on, or food to eat. It can also mean diamonds, jewels, and the ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want. It can also mean having good friends and family you can rely on.
In The Good Earth, being rich separates you from the land and can lead to trouble. Of course, you can try ignore the gods if you have enough money, and you might have some good times while you wait for disaster to strike, so it's not all bad. But disaster, in some form, is probably going to strike, just to even out the scales. The most peaceful time for Wang Lung's family comes when they are just rich enough to have everything they need and one or two extras. But that doesn't last long.
Questions About Wealth
- Does the definition of wealth remain the same throughout the novel? If not, how and when does it change?
- Who are the rich people in the novel? Are they moral or immoral? What about the poor people?
- What makes being wealthy dangerous in the traditional Chinese society of The Good Earth?
Chew on This
Being rich in The Good earth is awesome.
It's dangerous to be rich in the Good Earth.