A Stoic is "a person who can endure pain or difficulty without showing feelings or complaining" (Webster). When she gives birth to her first child, she refuses any assistance and gives birth alone. When she has her third child, she immediately returns to the camp, knowing that her husband is angry because the newborn is “a slave,” but unable to deal with her emotion. Although her quality of life with Wang Lung is better than in the House of Hwang, she is burdened because she is at the mercy of her husband. When Wang Lung takes her pearls, a symbol of love and appreciation, O-lan is at her breaking point. She “did not raise her hand to wipe away (the tears); he simply hit the wooden stick more forcefully on the clothes hanging on the stone" (p. 200). The only time O-lan truly showed her emotions was when she was passionate about something or when she couldn't hold it back anymore. O-lan's stoicism served her well, but at the same time it distanced her from Wang Lung. He loved her, but she gave him no sign of appreciation. Because of this emotional distance, Wang Lung could not understand his wife's