Pearl S. Buck’s Dual Narrative Dynamics: An Interpretation of the Conflict between Localism and Modernity

Abstract

Pearl Buck is a famous cross-cultural female writer. As an American writer closely related to China, her trilogy of The Good Earth is well known for her depiction of Chinese peasants and “land worship”. However, there is a covert progression which is parallel with the plot of “family epic” in her works. Based on the dual narrative dynamics proposed by Professor Shen Dan, this paper illustrates the conflict between localism and modernity in Pearl Buck’s The Good Earth trilogy, and explores the profound thematic significance created by the dual narrative progressions. Pearl Buck’s consideration of the changes in society and people’s mentality in modern times is inspiring for the future study of contemporary works.