Wang Lung is getting married, and he realizes that he is a man and must provide for his woman. As they age, work together, have a family and save, we get a glimpse into the life of farmer and his relationship to the earth, which contrasts with the rich in the area.

Wang Lung's focus is almost always on the land, until he gets rich...then it moves into idleness and "rich man" behavior, such as purchasing another woman. We fear that he will follow similar patterns as the Lord from whom O-Lan (his wife) was bought out of slavery, but this is not completely true.

We walk with Wang Lung, groaning at the decisions he has to make to live by the wall, to steal the jewels, to take the two pearls from O-Lan to buy something for his prostitute, to the stark difference of how his boys are raised compared to him. His lesser reliance on the gods/shrines as his wealth grows is fascinating as well. But deep down, Wang Lung is connected to the earth. The earth is what really makes his soul sing.

I found it fascinating that through it all, especially after O-Lan's death, one of his continual great delight was in his daughter with special needs.

In the end, when the sons look over their old father's head and "promise" that they will not sell the land...my heart broke, and something about this moment reminded me of the dire time and needs presented in the entirety and the end of Grapes of Wrath. I'd love to pair these books with a high school English class and discuss the differences/similarities of wealth, poverty, toil, tragedy, and culture, etc.

All I could think about this book is that I wanted to pair it with The Grapes of Wrath

Pairings: Grapes of Wrath