The Good Earth Meaning

An overall meaning for The Good Earth is that “Nature is the ultimate love for any man.” This theme is displayed throughout the book, especially in the opening and closing intervals. In the beginning, the book shows Wang Lung as a hard working farmer that makes his money off the land. Wang and his family depend on the land, this causes there to be a strong bond between himself and the earth. Also, when Wang Lung was forced to move south to avoid the famine, the only thought he had was returning to his precious land. The moments he spent in the city show that he is not attracted to the high life of the city. When he takes the money and goes back to his land, he does not spend the money on luxuries as other would have done, his first course of

Wang Lung even showed ignorance toward his father in the beginning scene. On Wang Lung’s marriage day, he ridiculed his own mother, and was belittling his aged father. But when Wang Lung had kids of his own, he became the older generation. Once his sons were fully grown up, they were accustomed to the life of money and wealth, so there was a disconnect between Wang Lung and his sons. His sons were born into a life where they did not have to work, but Wang Lung had to work his whole life to earn all the land he possessed. This disconnect was seen when Wang Lung’s third son did not want to work on the farm, and wanted to pursue a career in the military. The son did not appreciate how much Wang Lung had sacrificed for him, and he was willing to go after a career where he might end up killed. Also, when the elder son was arranging the marriage of the second oldest son, there was a divide between the two generations. Wang Lung did not receive any additional luxuries during his wedding day, but the elder brother was spending so much money on luxuries for the second oldest son’s wedding day. Also, in the final sequence, when Wang Lung is near his death bed, the two sons are plotting on selling the land. This is a huge sign of disrespect