The Pearl

1. The Pearl John Steinbeck

2. Steinbeck (1908-1962) • Born in California to a middle-lower class family • Most famous works: Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath • Most of his novels are classified as “social novels”, which deal with the economic struggles of rural/manual labor

3. The Pearl Introduction • Kino: The protagonist of the novel. He is a simple man that is a pearl diver. He lives a poor but content life; however, the pearl changes everything. • Juana: Young wife of Kino. Believes in divine powers. Thinks for herself but bows to her husband’s desires! • Coyotito: Young son who is bitten by a scorpion and is helpless.

4. Characters • Juan Tomas: Loyal brother of Kino. Warns Kino of dangers of the pearl and helps during time of need • Doctor: A colonial doctor who dreams of a fanciful, high class European lifestyle. He represents the evil, arrogance, and corruption of colonial society. • Priest: Externally represents good and morals but the pearl makes him want to exploit Kino

5. Other Information to Note • The Pearl takes place in La Paz, Mexico, a coastal town. It takes place around 1900. *La Paz means “peace” in Spanish. • The novel is a short novel (novella) which is told in the form of a parable. • A parable is a simple work demonstrating larger truths or lessons; often, the subject is good and evil.

6. Chapter 1 • The narrator describes Kino’s simple, impoverished but PERFECT world. • Scorpion bites Coyotito • Kino, Juana, and Coyotito (along with the entire village) travel to see the doctor. • The doctor refuses to treat Coyotito • Kino is both angry and ashamed

7. Chapter 1 Analysis • Kino’s early life almost “Eden” like • The doctor symbolizes evil, arrogance, racial divide, and the monetary value of life. • Scorpion: symbolizes vulnerability and evil in world (snake/devil) • The transition from the village (natural and innocent) to the city (stone, plaster) shows the turn from good to evil.

8. Chapter 1 Continued • The scorpion bite symbolizes one’s vulnerability and the evil that lurks. • The doctor’s refusal to treat Coyotito is used to show the monetary value of life. • The Pearl is considered a PARABLE (a story that teaches a lesson).

9. Chapter 2 • Kino dives for pearls and is “lucky” to find a pearl “as big as a seagull’s egg”. • Juana meanwhile prays for luck, instead of healing. • Ironically, the poison is receding in Coyotito after Kino finds the pearl.

10. Chapter 2 Analysis • Materialism, rationalism vs. tradition, piety: Instead of trusting her effective seaweed treatment, Juana prays only for money to pay for treatment; she will only trust the “doctor’s” medical clearance. • Religion, luck, and superstition: Juana’s prayers show that she will appeal to monotheism, polytheism, or luck proving a change or confusion in values. • Canoe: Symbolic of life (pearls/food) and a link to cultural tradition

11. Chapter 3 • News of Kino’s “Pearl of World” quickly travels through the village and city. • Everyone from beggars, doctors, and priests think of ways it will benefit them. • Kino invites friends and family to bask in their fortune and expresses his new desires (gun, harpoon, wedding, Coyotito’s schooling, etc…)

12. Chapter 3 • Kino’s thoughts shift from Coyotito’s health to material wants. • The priest (along with The Song of Evil) and doctor visit with opes of obtaining the pearl. • The doctor uses fear to convince Kino to let him examine Coyotito, but then poisons him; he returns an hour later and proclaims to have saved Coyotito’s life.

13. Chapter 3 • An unidentified intruder attacks Kino. • Juana begs Kino to get rid of the pearl but he convinces her it is key to their salvation.

14. Chapter 3 Analysis • American Dream: The dogma of hard work equals success is replaced by success only comes through luck (Kino’s sudden wealth was simply “right place, right time”) • Kino’s concern changes from emotional to material. It also leads to violence, obsession, and paranoia. • Motif: KNOWLEDGE vs IGNORANCE: The doctor is able to manipulate Kino with his “education” and Kino’s lack of “education”

15. Chapter 4 • Kino + entire village go to sell pearl. • The buyers work together to scam Kino into selling for a low price. • Kino fills with rage and decides to go to capital. • Again, he is attacked by unknown intruder.

16. Analysis • Social Hierarchies: Native Americans are taught that an attempt at leaving their social class is an act against God. • Greed as an Evil Force: Kino begins to let greed consume him, leading him to put his family and values in danger.

17. Chapter 5 • Juana attempts to throw pearl into ocean but is stopped and beaten by Kino. • Kino is then jumped, canoe destroyed, and house destroyed. • Juan Tomas shelters him and aids his escape from the village to the city.

18. Analysis • Kino loses all self-respect by beating wife, murdering, and putting family in danger • His transformation from loving man to animal is complete and “the pearl has become his soul” • Juana’s role as “subservient” forces her to follow Kino.

19. Important Characteristics of the Novel Review Sheet • Use your book to fill out each box. • Try to put 1 or 2 items in each box. • We will go over the answers after you’ve attempted each box on your own. • This is an individual activity. • This worksheet, in addition to your book, can be used on your test.