Historical Context and Literary Context: The Good Earth

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Historical Context and Literary Context The Good
Earth
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Bucks Writing StyleThe Good Earth--Realism

• Novel categorized as literary Realism
• Realism was a reaction to the previous literary
  movement, Romanticism

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Characteristics of Realism

1. Present accurate, detailed representations of
   ordinary peoples lives
2. Characters are complex and 3 dimensional
3. The characters complexity stems from who they
   are as individuals rather than their social
   positions
4. The plots are believable

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Characteristics of Realism (cont.)

• 5. Plots are driven by the choices characters
  make rather than by fate or coincidence
• 6. Writing style of realistic writerscharacterize
  d by the use of ordinary language

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Naturalism (as a literary movement)

• Characterized by an objective, almost scientific,
  point of view
• Focuses on how socioeconomic, historical, and
  environmental factors determine peoples fate
• Reflects an interest in the lowest class of
  society

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Naturalism (as a literary movement)

• 4. In Naturalistic novels, characters are often
  crippled by factors beyond their control
• 5. Their social standing often dictates the event
  of their lives

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Bucks Viewpoint

• Influenced by Naturalism
• The Good Earth does objectively tell of the
  social and economic issues faced by Wang Lung,
  but it is not a pessimistic novel (thus not
  making it true Realism)
• Bucks belief in self-reliance and
  self-determination classifies her as more of a
  Realist

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Bucks Viewpoint (cont.)

• Buck is probably referring to the openness she
  observed in rural China compared to Americans
  Puritan ideals