Mr. Morgan's "The Good Earth" Quiz

1. Why does Wang Lung go south?

There is no work and he needs money

His father is ill and he must go find a doctor

He wants to ride the "fire-wagon"

There is a famine and his family is starving

Wang Lung goes south because there is a famine and his family is starving. This suggests that Wang Lung is desperate to find food and resources to sustain his family during this difficult time.

Explanation

Wang Lung goes south because there is a famine and his family is starving. This suggests that Wang Lung is desperate to find food and resources to sustain his family during this difficult time.

2. Why does Wang Lung cut off his ponytail?

O-Lan scolded him for looking unkempt

Wang Lung said it made him feel too hot

Lotus said it was old-fashioned

Wang Lung's father thought it made him look like a fool

Wang Lung cuts off his ponytail because Lotus tells him that it is old-fashioned. This suggests that Wang Lung values Lotus's opinion and wants to appear more modern and fashionable.

Explanation

Wang Lung cuts off his ponytail because Lotus tells him that it is old-fashioned. This suggests that Wang Lung values Lotus's opinion and wants to appear more modern and fashionable.

3. What does Wang Lung do to celebrate the birth of his first child (and especially his son)?

He has a feast

He doesn't do anything

Wang Lung celebrates the birth of his first child, especially his son, by thanking the earth god and bringing the boy to show the Mistress in the house of Hwang. He also dyes eggs red, which is a traditional Chinese custom symbolizing good luck and prosperity. This celebration demonstrates Wang Lung's gratitude towards the gods and his desire to share his joy with others.

Explanation

Wang Lung celebrates the birth of his first child, especially his son, by thanking the earth god and bringing the boy to show the Mistress in the house of Hwang. He also dyes eggs red, which is a traditional Chinese custom symbolizing good luck and prosperity. This celebration demonstrates Wang Lung's gratitude towards the gods and his desire to share his joy with others.

4. How did O-Lan's first daughter die?

O-Lan strangled her

It was attacked by the hungry dog that was lurking around the house

It starved to death

Wang Lung buried her alive

In the novel "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck, O-Lan strangled her first daughter to death shortly after giving birth. This act was a result of the harsh realities of their poverty-stricken life and the belief that it was better for the child to die rather than suffer a life of hunger and hardship. O-Lan's decision, though tragic and heartbreaking, reflects the desperate circumstances and cultural norms of the time.

Explanation

In the novel "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck, O-Lan strangled her first daughter to death shortly after giving birth. This act was a result of the harsh realities of their poverty-stricken life and the belief that it was better for the child to die rather than suffer a life of hunger and hardship. O-Lan's decision, though tragic and heartbreaking, reflects the desperate circumstances and cultural norms of the time.

5. Why does Wang Lung request an "ugly" wife?

Because he does not deserve a pretty woman

Because pretty women often attract young lords and lose their virginity

Because Wang Lung is intimidated by beautiful women

Wang Lung requests an "ugly" wife because he believes that pretty women often attract young lords and lose their virginity. He thinks that pretty women are more likely to be lazy and not interested in working. By choosing an "ugly" wife, he believes that she will be more focused on working and being a responsible partner.

Explanation

Wang Lung requests an "ugly" wife because he believes that pretty women often attract young lords and lose their virginity. He thinks that pretty women are more likely to be lazy and not interested in working. By choosing an "ugly" wife, he believes that she will be more focused on working and being a responsible partner.

6. What does Uncle come and ask Wang Lung for when he visits the first time?

Money

Seeds to grow a harvest

Wang Lung's son

Food

Uncle visits Wang Lung for money when he visits for the first time. This suggests that Uncle is in need of financial assistance and sees Wang Lung as a potential source of help. It could imply that Uncle is facing some financial difficulties or has a pressing need for money, which leads him to approach Wang Lung for support.

Explanation

Uncle visits Wang Lung for money when he visits for the first time. This suggests that Uncle is in need of financial assistance and sees Wang Lung as a potential source of help. It could imply that Uncle is facing some financial difficulties or has a pressing need for money, which leads him to approach Wang Lung for support.

7. What about Wang Lung's second daughter saddens him?

She is retarded

She is hideous

She was beaten and raped by his uncle's son

The correct answer is that Wang Lung's second daughter saddens him because she cried that her bound feet hurt terribly, but she wasn't supposed to cry because if she didn't have them bound, her husband would not love her.

Explanation

The correct answer is that Wang Lung's second daughter saddens him because she cried that her bound feet hurt terribly, but she wasn't supposed to cry because if she didn't have them bound, her husband would not love her.

8. What happens to Wang Lung's field of crops?

It gets dry and the harvest does not survive

There is a great flood that drowns the harvest

His uncle's band of bandits come and burn his fields after his uncle is expelled from the house

Locusts come and destroy a lot of the harvest

Wang Lung's field of crops is destroyed by locusts. This means that a large portion of his harvest is destroyed by the infestation of these insects. The locusts feed on the crops, causing them to wither and die, resulting in a significant loss for Wang Lung. This event has a negative impact on his livelihood and financial stability, as he relies on the success of his crops for his income and survival.

Explanation

Wang Lung's field of crops is destroyed by locusts. This means that a large portion of his harvest is destroyed by the infestation of these insects. The locusts feed on the crops, causing them to wither and die, resulting in a significant loss for Wang Lung. This event has a negative impact on his livelihood and financial stability, as he relies on the success of his crops for his income and survival.