Symbolism Project on the book “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck

1. Symbolism Projecton the book“The Pearl” by John Steinbeck Project by Yohannes Sitorus

2. Symbolism #1:The Pearl A pearl in real time modern day world would be a symbol of beauty considering only beautiful women wears the thing The pearl, which plays an important role within the book was introduced after Kino’s predicament with his poisoned son. The pearl was at first to Kino and Juana, a sign of hope and fortune, however as the book progresses, the pearl became a magnet for trouble as Kino and Juana tries to protect it after the countless attacks by strangers. Even more deeper into the book, the pearl became the very soul of what Kino was filling his mind with greed. Juana, who noticed the changed Kino, tries to get rid of the pearl but fail when Kino attacked her. In the end, the pearl was thrown back into the sea in the hopes to never be found ever again. The pearl, at first was a symbol of hope especially to Kino and Juana for it gives the chance that their baby, Coyotito, who was poisoned by a scorpion, to be treated and healed. The pearl was also, to Kino, a sign of fortune for it meant their family who were poor was able to live somewhat more or less to similar extent as the Europeans settlers at the time. However as the book drives forward, the true nature of the pearl was shown when Kino was attacked by someone who seems to be searching for the pearl. After the incident the pearl became nothing but trouble and misfortune for it is the symbol of greed and loss especially for Kino was felt the effects of the pearl first hand. By the end of the book, the pearl was a symbol of evil shown by the evil music Kino heard once he saw the true intentions of the pearl Evidence: -In chapter 3 , Kino was attacked by people because of the pearl -near the end of the book, Kino was attacked by more men and he killed one because the pearl was at stake

3. Symbolism #2:The Scorpion In the beginning of the book, when the book first introduces the character, Coyotito, a scorpion shows up to be what was the start of the true story. When the scorpion showed up, it caused Kino and his family trouble for it was the cause of the starting problem, Coyotito getting poisoned and being on the verge of death if not treated with haste. Unfortunately, Kino, as animalistic as he was, crushed the scorpion with his hands in anger and even suffered a small amount of the poison Today, if someone were to find a scorpion it probably means that you will or already have bad luck. It can also mean that where ever you live, it is very dangerous since scorpions are able to live there. Plus, theses days, its food. When the scorpion was introduced, it was always a sign of upcoming bad events thus making the scorpion symbolizes evil, but not in the same way the pearl does. Unlike the pearl which symbolizes the evil in man, the scorpion symbolizes evil itself or an upcoming tragic event. Basically the Scorpion represents and upcoming tragic event. Evidence: -pg4-5 “down the rope that hung the baby’s box from the roof support a scorpion moved slowly” -p5 Kino's hand leaped to catch it, but it fell past his finger, fell on the baby’s shoulder, landed and struck

4. Symbolism #3:The Music Like in Kino’s world, music, is a really big deal especially in this age where digital media is everywhere and the music industries are controlled by controversial things such as YouTube, TV news, rumors, and Hollywood. Again music, is dependant on the person’s opinion, however still follows a general symbol. Usually music is the very symbol and symbolizes our self since we don’t listen or hear it depending on situation, but it depends on how we feel or want to feel. When the author wrote the book, he used different music or songs which was mostly heard by Kino to show how Kino saw the moment, or item. This means the songs change depending Kino’s perspective of situation or item. Evidence -Kino describes the song of the pearl with joy and hope in the beginning of the book -Kino describes the song of the pearl to be evil and wicked in the end Kino, who was the main character that heard the different songs, shows that his feelings and perspective was intertwine with the music and songs he heard. This makes the symbolism of the songs to change, but still holds the general symbol. So the Music that was heard by Kino, symbolizes current event and how evil or “good” something or some time is.

5. Symbolism #4:Juana If Juana was in a story that uses present day world as a setting, which is the closest I can come up with, of her being in the real world, then Juana would probably symbolizes logic. She would be the one that knows what to do based on what just happened “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck is a book filled with symbols, parables, meanings, and even lessons. However in the standpoint of symbols, most of the symbols were items, or animals, but there were people who symbolized things too. Juana, being the person that is most closely acquainted with the main character, Kino, plays an important role in the book. In the book, Juana is a secondary character who follows the main character, Kino, on his journey. The character development of Juana is somewhat slow even if she was a secondary character for she wasn’t given hints that she was a symbol until the end of the book. Anyway, in the book, Kino was absurdly ignorant of things especially as soon as he gets his hopes. So because of his personality, more was needed to somewhat make the book a bit more enjoyable and so John has used Juana as thevoice of reason to carry on Kino through his story. This is proved many ways considering all she did throughout the book was try to reason with Kino. And So she symbolizes reason or the voice of reason for she was the only person who tried to get Kino to get rid of something that was obviously trouble. Evidence: -pg 58 “Her arm was up to throw when he leaped at her and caught her arm and wrenched the pearl from her -pg39 “It will destroy us all” Juana cried