Then Wang Lung turned to the woman and looked at her for…
““Then Wang Lung turned to the woman and looked at her for the first time. She had a square, honest face, a short, broad nose with large black nostrils, and her mouth was wide as a gash in her face. Her eyes were small and of a dull black in color, and were filled with some sadness that was not clearly expressed. It was a face that seemed habitually silent and unspeaking, as though it could not speak if it would. She bore patiently Wang Lung’s look, without embarrassment or response, simply waiting until he had seen her. He saw that it was true there was not beauty of any kind in her face—a brown, common, patient face. But there were no pock-marks on her dark skin, nor was her lip split. In her ears he saw his rings hanging, the gold-washed rings he had bought, and on her hands were the rings he had given her. He turned away with secret exultation. Well, he had his woman!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Wang Lung sees a plain, patient woman and feels triumph in possessing her despite lack of conventional beauty.
In simple terms: He values possession over beauty.
Key Takeaway
Recognize worth beyond appearances.
Themes
love
class
appearance
possession
gender
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
literary
social commentary
When to use this quote
- marriage
- family expectations
- social mobility
Key Concepts
materialism
social status
gender roles
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true respect look like?
- How does objectification affect relationships?
A Different Perspective
His triumph overlooks her humanity, reducing her to an object.