, Research Paper

Taoist Influences in The Good Earth

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck is a narrative that takes topographic point in the early

twentieth

century in China. It is a fresh about a adult male, Wang Lung, and some of the

events he

endures in his life-time. This narrative has many mentions to Eastern faiths

and

doctrines. One of the most outstanding influences in this narrative is the

Chinese doctrine

of Taoism. The Good Earth relates to Taoism in a figure of ways. Three ways

that The

Good Earth shows the influence of Taoist doctrine are the grasp of

nature, the

Taoist pattern of turning to nature during times of societal activism, and

the Taoist belief

in simpleness and that money and hierarchal authorities are non of import.

The Taoist grasp of nature plays a immense function in The Good Earth. The

Taoists believe that “ the order and harmoniousness of nature is far more stable

and digesting than

either the power of the province or the civilised establishments constructed by

human acquisition ”

( Waley 56 ) . An early Taoist belief is the pattern of Wu-wei, which is best

described as

“ action modeled by nature ” ( Waley 56 ) . Wang Lung owes everything he

has to the Earth

and has no problem acknowledging it. Wang Lung and his household even go so far as

to make

shrines to the Earth, as shown in this transition from the narrative, “ Together

this adult male and this

adult female stood before the Gods of their Fieldss ” ( Buck 16 ) . Wang Lung may

non be an

admitted Taoist, but he surely follows some facets of the Taoist manner of

life.

Another manner that Wang Lung displays elements of Taoism in his behaviour is

when

he decides to work merely in the dark during the revolution. Removing oneself

from social-

political struggle is a typical Taoist behaviour. This transition from The Way

and it & # 8217 ; s

Power

by Arthur Waley explains this behaviour, “ Throughout Chinese history,

people weary of

societal activism and aware of the breakability of human accomplishments would retire

from the

universe and bend to nature. They might withdraw to a countryside or mountain

puting to

commune with natural beauty. ” Wang Lung may non hold retreated to a

countryside or

mountain scene, but he would hold if he had the opportunity since his greatest

desire was to

return place to his land. This quotation mark from the point in the narrative when Wang

Lung was

afraid he may hold to contend in the war, proves that. “ Now I am genuinely

tempted to sell the

small slave and travel north to the land ” ( Buck 92 ) .

The Taoist belief in simpleness besides plays a immense function in this narrative. This

quotation mark from

The Tao of Pooh explains the significance of the Uncarved Block. “ The

kernel of the

rule of the Uncarved Block is that things in their original simpleness

incorporate their ain

natural power, power the is easy spoiled and lost when that simpleness is

changed ” ( Hoff

10 ) . Although Wang Lung becomes rather comfortable, he is still a simple adult male at

bosom.

After catching a conversation between two work forces about what they would make if

they had

tonss of gold and Ag, Wang Lung replied, “ If I had the gold, and

Ag and the gems, I

would purchase land with it, good land, and I would convey forth crops from the

land! ” ( Buck

87 ) .

The Taoist manner of life dramas a portion in the life of Wang Lung, the chief

character of

The Good Earth. He shows this Taoist influence by his grasp of the

Earth and what

it brings to him, his dovish nature, and his simple manner of thought and

life. Wang Lung

may non hold realized it the Taoist manner of life has influenced the manner he

lives greatly.