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?