“'If you sell the land, it's the end.'” (360). There is absolute truth in these words, if you were in rural China at the turn of the century. These wise words, quoted by the main character Wang Lung, come from Pearl S. Buck's illuminating historical novel, The Good Earth. In the story, Wang Lung, a poor young farmer, marries a slave of the powerful Hwang family, O-lan. Together they face hardship and triumph, prosperity and famine, along with the birth of their three sons and two daughters (the fifth child died of strangulation). Over the course of his life, Wang Lung evolves greatly in response to the many challenges he faces. In particular, his wealth, his idea of ​​women, and the land itself change Wang Lung's attitude and point of view as he rises in China's social classes. Money and wealth change and influence Wang Lung as he evolves from a common peasant to a rich man. noble. For example, early on, after being shaved by a local barber before heading to Hwang's House, Wang Lung sees “money counted in the barber's wrinkled, water-soaked hand. . . [and] had a moment of horror” (11). A poor farmer at the beginning of the story, Wang Lung always thought carefully about how to spend his money, whether shaving his face to appear presentable or on the wedding day itself. Therefore he was not inclined to indulge in unnecessary luxuries and thought of money to be used only when necessary. Later, during his second visit to the local House of Hwang, Wang Lung is treated as one of the nobles for his growing wealth and prosperous harvest, as demonstrated when the gatekeeper's wife “presented [a bowl of tea] to him and he he placed it in front of him. him and didn't drink any, as if he wasn't good enough in quality tea leaves... middle of paper... during his lifetime as he ascended the social ranks of China. In fact, the truth came out in Wang Lung's Last Words, where families end up once their land is sold, the place where they were born and where they intend to leave it. Ultimately, through these words, Wang Lung shows the change he has made throughout his life; his growing wealth, his portrayal of women, his good land, all helped influence him. The land in particular, hence the book's title The Good Earth, as throughout the book the land represented the constant, forever unchanging cycle of life and death, shown through seasons of plenty and drought. Transmitted through The Good Earth, Pearl S. Buck wants everyone to live a simple and unpretentious life, respecting the earth and eradicating any avarice or greed in us, because, in reality, we are capable of improving humanity.