Wang Lung, though secretly proud that he has raised a son who can indulge in melancholy, announces that he will not buy his son a slave but rather find him a wife. She has seen such moody behavior in the young lords of the Great House. O-lan steps in, taking many of the blows herself, and states that the son simply needs a slave. When he refuses to attend classes, Wang Lung grows angry and beats him. The elder son suddenly grows moody and petulant, losing interest in school. Wang Lung plans to find his eldest son a good wife and consults Ching, despite his feeling that Ching is too "simple" to be much help in the matter. He feels pride at his well-mannered and intelligent sons. She has no power over him now.Īfter the harvest, Wang Lung sells his grain when the price is highest, taking his eldest son to manage the contracts and negotiations. Lotus is horrified to see Wang Lung revert to his farmer identity, but Wang Lung is overjoyed: "Now you see that your lord is but a farmer and you a farmer's wife!" (213) Wang Lung stops washing daily, browns his skin in the sun, hardens his hands, and returns to garlic and bread, even while Lotus complains. Working all day on the land, Wang Lung finally shakes his love sickness.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |