The Good Earth
Why does Wang Lung endure his uncle's demand?
Wang Lung and his uncle
Wang Lung and his uncle
We need to consider that in traditional Chinese culture respect for the elderly was and is extremely important. The old were not shoved in some home waiting to die. They made major family decisions. This, of course, could be good or bad. Thus Wang Lung had to put up with his uncle's lazy and wasteful ways. Wang Lung must put up with constant humiliation and exploitation from his uncle if he wished to maintain his status in the community.