Point of View

Pearl S. Buck writes in a direct narrative style using Wang Yuan as her central character, with the actions of her other characters relating directly to him. In fact, no character performs any act independent of the main character. For example, when Yuan is in America, the reader does not see what is happening in China other than what Yuan learns through letters, communication with his cousin Sheng, or in the newspapers. The main action at this point in the story is Yuan's life in America.

The story is most often seen through Yuan's perceptions and is colored by his biases. However, the book is written in third person omniscient point of view which allows the author to act as an all-knowing narrator offering insight into the main characters' thoughts and feelings as they interact. This author juggles these elements with clarity and instills a link...