Societal Influence on Constructing Masculine Traits, in the Novel “The Good Earth”

Abstract

It delineates the trials and tabulations, women in Chinese society were facing which can be visible through the character of O-lan in ‘The Good Earth’. The significance of the study is that one can know about the patriarchal Chinese society and social evils prevalent like selling of daughters, female infanticide, Foot binding, domestic violence, women as sex symbols etc. It also can be used for how societies organize gender roles, relations, and identities, and how these intersect with other hierarchies of power, such as class, race, nationality, ethnicity, sexuality, disability and age. Women’s and Gender Studies provide critical thinking skills and an understanding of women’s diverse contributions to society, which are valuable for a wide variety of careers. Women’s and Gender Studies are committed to realizing the equality of women and men in all areas of life so that our relationships, both personal and social, are characterized by the freedom and mutuality which can only occur among equals. The study might be useful for the sociologist to study social conditions and cultural study and even for cross cultural study of different countries.