is because of this that O-lan helps her family become successful.Pearl S. Buck reveals many significant things about O-lan that showed her to be the modest woman she was. O-lan is faithful throughout the book to Wang Lung through harvest, famine, and even when Wang Lung brings home another woman. O-lan is a hard worker and works even when no one tells her to. She has wisdom that only a slave and a hardworking woman could acquire. Even with all her greatness, she has a fault. O-lan's fault is that she is too silent and never stands up for herself, even when her husband becomes rich and she is the first wife. She has all the control in the house, yet doesn't use it. O-lan is a very proud woman. Through the times of famine, Wang Lung does everything except sell the land, which is most precious to him. O-lan may have not agreed to it, but when Wang Lung's uncle wants the couple to sell the land, she stands up for him and boldly says that the land is not for sale. Also, when Wang Lung brings his concubine, Lotus to the house, O-lan acts if Lotus isn't there and is still by Wang Lung's side, working hard even though there are servants working. O-lan is strong during those times of difficulty, still doing her duty and working hard to the day she collapses. O-lan is also very wise, but in her own way. Her wisdom isn't intellectual, but through her years of childhood and working in the House of Hwang she gains great wisdom. During her time of her childbirth, O-lan silently has her baby, without a cry or a woman to help her give birth. She knows exactly what to do because she has seen many births during her years at the House of Hwang. Pearl S. Buck reveals a very important thing. O-lan is a woman. She is a simple woman. The primary role of women, Rich or poor, if she is a wife, her principal function is to bear sons. When O-lan is dying, The doctor tells Wang Lung it would cost five hundred pieces of silver to heal her. "Now when O-lan hea...
