Wang Lung -  The protagonist of The Good Earth. He begins life as a poor farmer and marries O-lan, a slave owned by the Hwang family. Wang Lung maintains a fierce attachment to the land. However, he is also extremely ambitious and envies the material success of the wealthy Hwangs. He is increasingly drawn to the Hwangs' decadent lifestyle, and in the end, his piety and love of the land is only partially successful in helping him maintain his good character and moral standing.