Good Earth

Taoists often use anecdotes to describe and present lessons of life. For example, The Missing Axe teaches that people see only what they want to see. Another important Taoist story, The Lost Horse, proves the falseness of first impressions. Similarly, Pearl Buck expresses this idea of false impressions in The Good Earth. When Wang Lung makes judgments about other characters throughout the novel, Buck shows how one’s first impressions of others can be wrong. …

…impressions are not reliable. Pearl Buck successfully conveys the theme that one’s first impressions can be incorrect. Not only does this lesson apply to Wang Lung’s life but that this concept is relevant to us, for we may miss the opportunity to meet friends. Like the American saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” people should not jump to conclusions and decide whether people are bad or good from first impressions.