That Chung creates art out of life is precisely why his works have proven so appealing. His female characters display the characteristics of Hakka women: hardworking, giving, and tender, as seen in the character of Cha-mei in Lupins, Yin-Mei in Turbid Waters, or Pen-mei in Song of Mount Chatien, all vivid characters that the reader encounters.
從生活入手，就是鍾肇政小說膾炙人口的原因，連他作品中的女性角色，都深具客家女人勤懇、付出、溫柔的特質，不管是《魯冰花》裡的茶妹、《濁流三部曲》裡的銀妹、或《插天山之歌》的奔妹，都讓讀者油然生出一種親近的情愫。