The Good Earth Response: Wang's Uncle and the City

In the novel, The Good Earth, a strong character is described. Wang Lung's uncle isn't a main character, but he definitely leaves an impression. At times he is a jerk; he tells the village that Wang has money, but isn't buying food, and isn't giving him any. In one chapter, Wang and his uncle are in a fight. They yell back and forth, and even some tears are shed. The next minute, the uncle is saying what a good man Wang is, and how he, the uncle, is a man of evil. It seems as if he has two totally different sides to him, and neither side is the true him; he is lost in his life of lies, and can't find the way out.

When Wang Lung's family goes poor, they make the tough decision to head to a city in the south-- a rich, beautiful city where everyone is doing well. As they arrive a man gives the family a few directions-- build a hut out of mats, and beg, beg as if you are depending on those people. The sad fact is, they are depending on these people. To me, it seems like Wang is ashamed that his family-- his wife, kids, and father-- are out on the streets begging people more fortunate than themselves. While his family is begging , Wang is pulling people in rickshas-- a hard, horrible job. Wang is unhappy, and realizing that he is very poor; reality has just set in, and he doesn't like reality a bit.