Jane Schaeffer Model Paragraph--Sons by Pearl S. Buck

In the book Sons by Pearl S. Buck, Wang the Tiger acts like a strong, mean, and vicious general, but is actually kind at heart and merciful. For example, near the middle of the book, Wang the Tiger sent his nephew to spy on his enemy. At first, Wang the Tiger didn’t think much of it, but once his nephew was gone, he realized that he would miss him if he didn’t come back. This showed that Wang the Tiger was actually capable of showing some compassion. Also, it showed Wang the Tiger for once not only thinking about military strategy, but about his nephew that he had come to like. In addition, once Wang the Tiger had gained control of a province and had control over the magistrate, he would listen in on some of the cases that were brought to the magistrate. One time, a usurer and a poor farmer came in. The poor farmer owed the usurer a lot of money, and the usurer was demanding it. Just as the chief councilor of the magistrate said that the poor farmer should pay back all the interest and the money he borrowed, or else give the usurer his land, Wang the Tiger couldn’t take the injustice anymore and roared: “I say the poor man shall have his land!” (Buck 157). For the first time this showed Wang the Tiger actually showing compassion to a stranger. Also, it showed that Wang the Tiger had the potential to be a fair ruler, which he later became for a short period when the old magistrate died. Finally, near the end of the book, Wang the Tiger admitted that he “could only kill in anger, whose means to glory is death, and he knew it was his weakness that he could not kill coldly or carelessly or for a cause.” (Buck 226-227). This showed that, even though he acted tough and strict, he knew that he could not kill ruthlessly. Also, even though he admitted that it was his weakness, and almost wished that he wasn’t like that, the fact that he could only kill in anger shows that, deep down, Wang the Tiger was actually a merciful man. By showing compassion for his nephew, and standing up for the poor farmer, and actually admitting to himself that he wasn’t a ruthless, vicious ruler, it shows that Wang the Tiger wasn’t the brutal, harsh general whom everyone feared, but was actually sympathetic, and kindhearted.