Pearl Buck

Pearl Buck Postage Stamp

Pearl Buck: Voice Between Two Worlds

Pearl Sydenstricker Buck was born on June 26, 1892, in Hillsboro, West Virginia. When she was just a few months old, her parents moved to China, where they worked as Christian missionaries. Growing up in China, Pearl became fluent in both English and Chinese. This unique childhood gave her a deep understanding of both cultures, which would later shape her writing.

Life in China

As a child, Pearl experienced life in a traditional Chinese village. She witnessed poverty, natural disasters, and social changes. These experiences inspired her to write stories about Chinese peasants and their struggles. After attending college in the United States, she returned to China to teach and later married John Lossing Buck, an agricultural economist. The couple lived and worked among Chinese farmers, which gave Pearl even more insight into rural life.

Literary Success

In 1931, Pearl published her most famous novel, The Good Earth. The book told the story of Wang Lung, a poor Chinese farmer, and his family’s life through hardship and change. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and made Buck one of the most popular writers in America. Her writing helped many Western readers understand and appreciate Chinese culture for the first time.

Recognition and Later Life

In 1938, Pearl Buck became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature for her rich and human portrayals of Chinese peasant life. Later, she focused on humanitarian work, especially for children. She founded organizations to help Asian and mixed-race orphans, including the Pearl S. Buck Foundation. She continued to write novels, essays, and stories until her death in 1973.

Discussion Questions

  1. How did Pearl Buck’s childhood in China influence her writing?
  2. What message does The Good Earth send about the importance of family and land?
  3. Why do you think Pearl Buck’s work helped Americans better understand China?
  4. How did Pearl Buck use her success to help others?

Glossary

  • Missionary: A person sent to promote their religious faith in another country.
  • Peasant: A poor farmer who works the land.
  • Humanitarian: A person who works to improve the lives of others.
  • Nobel Prize: A famous international award for outstanding achievements.

Five Interesting Facts

  • Pearl Buck was the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
  • She wrote over 100 books during her lifetime.
  • Her novel The Good Earth was made into an Academy Award–winning film in 1937.
  • Buck was fluent in both English and Chinese.
  • She adopted several children from different backgrounds and advocated for interracial adoption.

Timeline

  • 1892: Born in Hillsboro, West Virginia.
  • 1892: Moves to China with her missionary parents.
  • 1931: Publishes The Good Earth.
  • 1932: Wins the Pulitzer Prize for The Good Earth.
  • 1938: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
  • 1973: Dies in Danby, Vermont.

Pearl Buck: Voice Between Two Worlds

Pearl Sydenstricker Buck was born on June 26, 1892, in Hillsboro, West Virginia. Her family moved to China when she was an infant because her parents were Christian missionaries. Growing up, Pearl learned both English and Chinese and became familiar with both cultures. This unique experience greatly influenced her later writing.

Life in China

As a child, Pearl saw how ordinary Chinese people lived. She witnessed poverty, hard work, and family loyalty. After college in the United States, she returned to China to teach and later married John Lossing Buck, an agricultural expert. Living among Chinese farmers gave her the inspiration and knowledge she needed to write about rural life with honesty and care.

Literary Success

In 1931, Pearl published her famous novel, The Good Earth, which tells the story of a Chinese farmer and his family’s struggles. The book became a huge success and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932. It helped many Americans understand Chinese culture better and showed how deeply connected people are to the land and to family.

Recognition and Later Life

In 1938, Pearl Buck became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature for her powerful stories about China. Later in life, she focused on helping children and families in need, founding the Pearl S. Buck Foundation. She wrote more than 100 books and continued to promote understanding between cultures until her death in 1973.