How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)
Quote #1
Within the temple snugly under the roof sat two small, solemn figures, earthen, for they were formed from the earth of the fields about the temple. These were the god himself and his lady. (1.148)
This god is probably Tudi Gong—literally, the earth god. It was—and in some places still is—very common to worship Tu Di Gong and pray to him for anything regarding the earth. Since this book is called The Good Earth, it's almost inevitable that he would show up. What does it mean for there to be an earth god? Does it mean that the earth itself is somehow sacred? Or does it mean that a god is really controlling everything on the earth?
Quote #2
He thought of this at first with joy and then with a pang of fear. It did not do in this life to be too fortunate. The air and the earth were filled with malignant spirits who could not endure the happiness of mortals, especially of such as are poor […] He watched the four sticks well lit and then went homeward, comforted. These two small, protective figures, sitting staidly under their small roof—what a power they had! (4.6)
Why does Wang Lung think that the spirits hate poor people especially? Why is too much fortune a bad thing? Does too much good fortune inevitably bring on bad—you know, to sort of even things out?
Quote #3
He took what was thrust at him, then, and when he had courage to look at it after the foreigner had passed on, he saw on the paper a picture of a man, white-skinned, who hung upon a crosspiece of wood. The man was without clothes except for a bit about his loins, and to all appearances he was dead, since his head drooped upon his shoulder and his eyes were close above his bearded lips. (14.18)
This is Wang Lung's first exposure to Christianity. The picture of the crucifixion scares him and the rest of his family. Why do you think they have this reaction? How is Christianity different from the religion that they practice?
Quote #4
Time after time men fled from the land and came back to it, but Wang Lung set himself now to build his fortunes so securely that through the bad years to come he need never leave his land again but live on the fruits of the good years, and so subsist until another year came forth. He set himself and the gods helped him and for seven years there were harvests, and every year Wang Lung and his men threshed far more than could be eaten. (17.18)
"He set himself and the gods helped him." That's interesting, isn't it? Wang Lung's fortune is not based just on his hard work, or just on the will of the gods, but on both of these things put together.
Quote #5
And men sighed and said "So Heaven wills," but Wang Lung was furious and he beat the locusts and trampled on them and his men flailed them with flails and the locusts fell into the fires that were kindled and they floated dead upon the waters of the moats that were dug. And many millions of them died, but to those that were left it was nothing. (23.120)
Based on this, do you think it makes sense to fight the will of the gods? What would that accomplish? Do the gods partly symbolize things humans have no control over? Is it better to try to work with the gods rather than against them, given that the gods are pretty much always going to win if you try to fight them? How is this like fighting with or trying to conquer nature itself?
Quote #6
Facing him were the small gods and on the surface of his mind he noted how they stared at him and how of old he had been afraid of them, but now he was careless, having become prosperous and in no need of gods, so that he scarcely saw them. (24.58)
It's interesting that Wang Lung doesn't care about the gods now that he's rich. Did he forget that the gods helped him get rich in the first place? It sort of seems as if having a lot of money makes people both ungrateful and forgetful of those who helped them get where they are.
Quote #7
"I have never had any good from that old man in heaven, yet. Incense or no incense, he is the same in evil. Let us go and see the land." (27.6)
You know, Wang Lung is kind of right. The earth god's wife, Tu Di Po, prevents the god from giving out too many blessings. People like Wang Lung might see that as evil. Then again, what would happen if blessing were given all the time? Wouldn't the earth run out of resources? There isn't a limitless supply.
Quote #8
"Now that old man in heaven will enjoy himself, for he will look down and see people drowned and starving and that is what the accursed one likes." (27.10)
Why does Wang Lung think that God wants people to die? Does this remind us of Tu Di Po, who prevents the earth god from giving out too many blessings? Maybe death is necessary in order for everyone to get the resources they need in life? What would happen if no one ever died?
Quote #9
"You are under a good heaven. There are men less rich than you who hang from the burnt rafters of their houses." (27.29)
Wang Lung's uncle says this to him and he reveals that he is part of a gang of robbers. It's funny that he says Wang Lung "is under a good heaven," because heaven's got nothing to do with it—unless what he means is that Wang Lung is lucky to have an uncle who has kept him and his belonging safe. But Wang Lung ends up treating his uncle just like a god, giving him food and money in exchange for protection.
Quote #10
So Wang Lung went back to his own court and he sat down and listened to the cries, and for the first time in many years he was frightened and felt the need of some spirit's aid. (29.36)
Fancy seeing Wang Lung at the temple. Long time no see. Why is that Wang Lung only feels the need of the spirit's aid when he's in trouble? Does he get this aid? When does he, and when doesn't he? Is it always possible to tell, either way? Maybe good fortune looks, at first, like bad fortune, and vice-versa?