A Eulogy to O-lan

What is loyalty? Loyalty by definition means being

constant and faithful in any relation or obligation

implying trust of confidence. The type of people who

are loyal are those showing selflessness towards others.

Being loyal does not mean turning one's back on others when

in trouble or need. The loyal and dedicated wife, O-lan,

retained this selfless quality throughout her lifetime with

Wang Lung.

There were countless times with Wang Lung in which O-lan

demonstrated loyalty. For instance, she helped Wang Lung

in the fields before ha had hired workers to do it for him.

Also, when she was in the fields with Wang Lung, O-lan

left to go to the house to have her baby, and a short while

later, she was back in the fields again. O-lan was also a

loyal wife to Wang Lung. When Wang Lung was arrogant

enough to get a second wife, O-lan did not leave him or

hold a grudge against him for doing so. Along with being a

loyal worker and wife, O-lan was a loyal caretaker. She

cleaned, cooked, and gave birth to sons for Wang Lung

without complaining.

Loyalty means being faithful to one in any circumstances

and the selfless O-lan showed this bold and honorable

quality throughout her lifetime. There were numerous

instances in which O-lan exhibited loyalty. She helped

Wang Lung in the fields even in extreme situations. When

Wang Lung got a second wife, she did not hold a grudge

against him or leave him. All in all, loyalty is

heart-felt devotion, and O-lan was a prime example of a

loyal human being throughout her life.