THE IMAGESOF WOMENINPEARL S.BUCK'S NOVELS

This study examines the portrayal of Chinese (Eastern) women in five of Pearl S. Buck’s novels: East Wind: West Wind, The Good Earth, The Mother, Pavilion of Women, and Peony. Buck’s female characters, both as individuals and as typical representations, provide a realistic picture of women in Chinese society. The study shows that these women, often constrained by social norms, use intelligence, resilience, and subtle strategies, including manipulation or self-sacrifice, to pursue dignity, love, happiness, and personal goals. Buck presents them as courageous, enduring, and morally strong figures, highlighting their roles as mothers, wives, and family pillars. Her works reflect Confucianism and the social conditions of the time, demonstrating women’s struggle for survival, ethical values, and fortitude. Through these depictions, Buck bridges cultural understanding between East and West, emphasizing universal themes of womanhood and motherhood.