The Good Earth

Book Title: The Good Earth Author: Pearl S. Buck
Pages: 357 Publisher: Washington Square Press
Why did you decide to read the book?
I decided to read this book because, the deadline to turn in a book to Ms Lesniak was the next day, and this was the first book I could get my hands on.
Brief Summary of Book (6-8 sentences):
The Good Earth is about Wang Lung, a humble, poor Chinese peasant farmer, living in the foothills of China in the late 19th century, and the rise and fall of his fortunes. Wang goes to the great house to get his wife O-Lan. O-Lan soon has a child and winter comes. Wang had a good harvest and is prepared for the long season. After many years and three more children, a severe famine hits and Wang’s family loses everything and they are forced to move into the southern city. In the city they are outcast from everyone because of their poverty, and the novel goes on about all the adventures of Wang’s life. Wang reaches the lows and highs of life all in a matter of ten- fifteen years. One day however, O-Lan found some jewels and with the jewels the family was able to buy back their life.
Writing Style: Descriptive with a lot of diction.
Description: The author’s style uses a lot of descriptive words and in detail describes every moment of Wang Lungs life.
Passage: “The daughter of Wang Lung was an exceedingly pretty girl… her skin was fair and pale as almond flowers and she had a little low nose and thin red lips and her feet were small.” (Pg 278 Buck)
Vocabulary:
Word: Placid Definition: Undisturbed by tumult or disorder
Sentence & page it came from: With his life placid again and the lad content, Wang Lung was satisfied
Word: Dais Definition: A high platform
Sentence & page it came from: Wang Lung came off of the dais and it seemed to him that his life was well rounded. Pg 332
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Passage #2:
Theme: Mans relationship with the earth, and overcoming adversity.
Letter Grade: C-