Examples Of Evil In The Pearl

Kino’s desire to gain wealth changes the pearl’s natural beauty and good luck, turning it from a symbol of hope and happiness into a symbol of bad and

Although “good and evil” have varying meanings to different people, the words are defined by both morality and actions. Good and evil aren't black and white concepts since there are different sects on the two topics. Evil is both inherent and not; some people are influenced to do bad things that shape them into “evil” beings. The dictionary definition of “good” is defined as being morally righteous. One of the separate sects is the idea that “good” people themselves can turn “bad” and vice versa. In addition, Influence is a very powerful thing that can end up controlling and changing the way someone acts and thinks. In the book, “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, the concept of judgement and influence convey senses of “evil” in Salem.

Of all the symbols that are in Steinbeck’s story, the pearl of the world is the most important because of its direct impact on Kino, Juana, and Coyotito. The Pearl is about a poor diver, Kino, who gathers pearls for a living. Then, on a day like any other, Kino comes to the surface of the sea with a pearl as large as a seagull’s egg. Kino thought it would be a source of wealth, hope, and comfort, whereas it was actually the evil that destroyed their family.

To begin with, Kino’s songs are a sign of good and evil. In the Pearl, the Song of Evil is described as anything that threatens his family. “In his mind a new song had come, the Song of

Kino no longer saw the pearl as “beautiful, rich and warm and lovely” (19), but rather “gray and ulcerous” (89). The melody that was “glowing and gloating and triumphant” (19) was now twisted, “distorted and insane” (89). Because of people imposing their selfish desires on the pearl, it was ugly to Kino. He, through the death of his son, understood that the people of his village had corrupted the pearl with what should have been a beautiful, elegant means for a better future. However, once Kino and Juana threw the pearl back into the gulf, it “settled into the lovely green water…the waving branches of the algae called to it and beckoned to it” (90). The pearl becomes destructive and dangerous when it is entangled with notions of material value. However, it is returned to its original beauty only after it is thrown into the gulf. Kino’s action of throwing it back into the ocean represents him finally rejecting the greed that consumed him.

The Crucible Can one’s evil deed lead to the evil deeds of many? Some may debate whether that is true or not. I believe so; our actions define who we are and who we will become. In Arthur Miller’s captivating play, The Crucible, he demonstrated the evil nature of greed and lust and the crucial aspect of making good decisions. It depicts how a man named John Proctor’s decision caused the terrible misfortunes of a small town called Salem.

When reading “The Crucible,” by Arthur Miller, it is clear to see many evil forces are in play throughout the book. For example, evil forces can be displayed by the character Abigail William. Throughout the play there are numerous instances that prove her guilt and display that evil forces exist with her character.

“ The acquisition of wealth is a work of great labor; its possession, a source of continual fear; its loss, of excessive grief.” This quote can apply in our lives and even some books we read like The Pearl. In the book, The Pearl, the wealth of Kino and his family is the pearl they find. It’s possession caused them great fear and labor from the beginning of the book, and it caused them grief towards the end. This quote applies to all parts of the book, and we will examine into all of the chapters to take a closer look.

Many people in the world today grow crazy and mad when surrounded by even the slightest bit of wealth and good fortune. Even a strong person who recognizes their priorities can still become corrupt with too much power. There is no better example of a person falling into the path of evil and corruption than in a novel written by John Steinbeck. In the novel The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, the author writes about a poor Indian man named Kino who becomes corrupt from the wealth of a magnificent pearl. Steinbeck uses the motifs of music, light and dark imagery, and values to develop the theme that good fortune, wealth, and prosperity steer even the most innocent of people towards a path of evil and corruption. The reader learns that one

Many genres of media are reliant on the struggle between good and evil. Films, video games and television programs alike all depend on this theme as a way to drive plot forward, and help the audience connect to the story and its characters. One example of this theme can be found in The Princess Bride, a 1987 film that has been loved by millions.

In The Pearl the theme good vs. evil has a big impact on the story because it's very visible to the reader and it affects many people in the story. An example of good vs. evil is shown in this quote, “Kino knelt beside his wife “so the doctor knew,” he said, but he said it for himself as well as his wife, for his mind was hard and suspicious and he was remembering the white powder. Juanna rocked side to side and moaned out the song of the family as though it could ward off danger,” [...] “the music of evil throbbed in his head and nearly drove out Juanna's song.” (Pg. 39). This quote shows that the pearls evilness is clouding the good inside of Kino, it almost blocked out the song of the

In The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, evil transforms certain humble citizens into envious savages. It is this evil which moves the story along and adds drama. It causes the beginning of a happy spirit, but the downfall of goodness and humanity.

Another example of greed is shown when Juana takes the pearl from Kino to throw back into the sea. Kino realizes what she is doing and goes after her. Just as Juana is about to discard the pearl, Kino grabs her arm and wrenches the pearl from her. He punches her in the face and when she falls on the boulders, he kicks her in the side. The following quote establishes the violence that Kino unleases on his wife in order to protect his precious pearl from harm, due to his greediness of what the pearl will bring to him and his family: “…Rage surged in Kino. He leaped at Juana and wrenched the pearl from her…with clenched fists, struck her in the face…kicked her in the side…Greedy fingers went through his clothes” (58-59).

Rather than wanting to do so as an act of kindness, the priest is motivated by Kino’s newfound treasure. He visits Kino and as he discusses the pearl, Kino begins to believe that wealth can fulfill all of his needs. Thus, he grows more attached to the pearl, and holds on to his desires more strongly. When attempting to sell his pearl, Kino’s wishes cause him to reject the low offers of the pearl buyers:

The music in Kino?s head represents his conscience in the real world. It warns him of bad by the Song of Evil, it makes him feel good by the Song of the Family, and the Song of the Pearl reminds him of all the things the pearl brought him. In the end, the irony of the story is that even a good person can be lead off course by his feeling of inner responsibility to provide for his family. Kino?s actions are being motivated to raise Coyotito in greatness, which eventually leads to the death of Coyotito (Kino?s greatest loss). Many desires in life can lead to disaster.