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Questions and Answers
What does Wang Lung want when he goes to the House of Hwang?
What significant event happens in Chapter 3?
Olan gives birth to a baby boy.
Wang Lung purchases __________ and sugar in Chapter 4.
red paper
In Chapter 5, Olan is introduced to the Old mistress.
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What does Wang Lung do after learning about the drought in Chapter 8?
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Ching reports that people are eating __________ in Chapter 9.
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What does Olan instruct the children to do in Chapter 12?
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What does Wang Lung acquire from the soldiers in Chapter 14?
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In Chapter 16, Wang Lung discovers that Olan stole __________.
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What does Wang Lung decide to do about his sons' education in Chapter 17?
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Study Notes
Chapter Summaries (1-17)
- Wang Lung marries Olan from the House of Hwang to assist with domestic duties, celebrating their marriage with a feast.
- Olan actively works in the fields and is pregnant with their first child, fostering a sense of familial continuity for Wang Lung.
- Olan refuses assistance from the House of Hwang during childbirth, emphasizing her independence; she gives birth to a son.
- Following a good harvest, Wang Lung buys red paper and sugar, hinting at cultural rituals, while also starting to save silver.
- During the New Year celebration, Olan introduces their baby to the Old Mistress, noting the decline of the House of Hwang due to their lack of new coats.
- Wang Lung acquires more land; while initially frustrated with Olan's pregnancy, he rejoices upon the birth of their second son, who also helps in the fields.
- Olan's pregnancy leads Wang Lung's Uncle to request money; he criticizes his Uncle's dependence as Olan gives birth to a daughter, viewed as a "bad omen."
- Drought devastates the crops, causing desperation; Olan kills the ox for food while the family's home is raided by desperate individuals.
- Reports of cannibalism surface, leading to great anxiety; Olan gives birth and, in despair, strangles their daughter before they decide to flee south due to famine.
- Wang Lung's family attempts to escape hardship using a fire wagon to seek refuge from famine and desperation.
- Olan constructs a temporary house from mats and bricks, while they beg for survival; Wang Lung experiences dislocation until he sees Westerners.
- Discussions about revolution circulate; Olan encourages their children to steal for survival, resulting in a conflict when the younger son is punished for theft.
- Wang Lung considers selling his daughter, engaging with a man who speaks of equality and the potential of revolution.
- Western missionaries provide Wang Lung with paper, signaling a cultural exchange; soldiers begin conscripting the poor, leading to a moment where Wang Lung makes an economic decision to avoid violence.
- With the winter behind them, Wang Lung purchases seeds and an ox, repaying Ching with seeds given their past exchange for beans.
- Wang Lung discovers Olan has stolen jewelry, which he wisely uses to expand his land holdings; Olan retains two pearls as a personal treasure.
- Wang Lung buys land from Ching, and Olan gives birth to twins; he resolves to educate his sons, naming them Nung En and Nung Wen to symbolize their connection to wealth and the earth.
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Description
This quiz provides detailed summaries of chapters 1 to 17 from 'The Good Earth' by Pearl S. Buck. Test your knowledge on key events and characters, focusing on the life of Wang Lung and his relationship with Olan. Ideal for students studying this classic novel.
