The Pearl, By John Steinbeck

During this time men and women’s rank was based on their income or who they knew. There was an expectation in the 150’s: “...Brother’s were brought up to be men. The girls had been reared to get married. They knew how to do screen embroidery, sew by machine, weave bone lace wash and iron, make artificial flowers and fancy candy, and write engagement announcements” (Marquez 31). The machismo culture of ‘men should be men’ portrays women as subordinate. It presents that to be valued you must fit the stereotype. Marquez conveys two different types of women the perfect innocent wife and the woman who works at the ‘whore house’. The extreme contrast of the two types of women allows the reader to understand how each is type valued. After it is revealed that Angela Vicario is not a virgin she no longer fits the culture and is no longer treated respectfully. This illustrates the brutality of the culture to meet the expectations. The brother’s were brought up to men and that was the expectation, nothing more, nothing less. Marquez’s shows characterization to illustrate the different types of men and women by using

But, as the story progresses and he discovers “the Pearl of the World,” (p22) Kino tries to sell it so that he can rise above his poverty and procure a better life for his son. Kino’s newfound motivation to ameliorate his family 's conditions alienates him from others including his wife. Driven by the new "Song of Evil” (p5) and the "music of the enemy,” (p5) Kino finds himself making extraordinary sacrifices to attain tangible wealth. Juana, because of her strong instincts, senses the evil vibes coming off of the pearl and concludes that it “is like sin” (p38) and that “it will destroy” (p38) them. Kino, however, is oblivious to the pearl’s negative effect as he assumes the pearl to be their “only chance.” (p38)

First, Kino’s call to adventure with Coyotito being savagely stung by a scorpion and Kino having to find money for the doctor to pay for Coyotito’s medical treatment, second,Kino’s allies that will be by his side no matter what and lastly the examples of how Kino is truly a tragic hero. In John Steinbeck's novella, The Pearl the text gives many hints and clues that the novel follows the pattern of a Hero's Journey. This essay will cover the 3 main aspects of Kino's Journey which eventually leads to his ultimate sacrifice. My claim is significant and relevant to The Pearl because without the three main aspects to Kino’s Journey, the novel would not be the award winning, captivating book that it

Steinbeck begins the novella by introducing the type of life that was lived by Kino before the discovery of the pearl, and the effect it had not only himself but its effect it had on his family. As Kino watches the ocean he remembers an ancient song from his culture the “Song of the Family” as he remembers this song he takes pleasure in watching his wife do her chores. Kino remembers this moment has a perfect morning like any other mornings. As Kino eats his breakfast he is aware of a scorpion that arrives at Coyotito crib. As the scorpion bit Kino’s son he remembers another ancient song the “Song of Evil”. Steinbeck presents the divides the town in two types - the old natives and the new Christian settlers. Steinbeck uses techniques to distinguish between the native Indians and the more cultured Europeans.

“Don’t educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy, so they know the value of things, not the price” Victor Hugo stated. Kino and Juana did not have the values or money that many people had, but they had Coyotito. Coyotito shows many symbols such as love, devotion, dedication, and affection towards Kino and Juana throughout the book. In The Pearl by John Steinbeck, Coyotito's illness and characteristics had an impact on Kino and Juana’s decisions.

The Pearl written by John Steinbeck is a parable, a story that teaches a moral lesson. This novel is centered on a poor Indian family, who live in a brush hut along the Gulf of Mexico and by the village of La Paz. The family consists of: Kino, a fisherman and pearl diver, his wife Juana, and their infant son Coyotito. One day while diving, Kino discovers a great pearl that he calls, “the pearl of the world” (22). The theme of a literary work is defined as the central idea, concern or purpose about life that a writer wishes to convey. There may be several themes identified in a literary work; however, in John Steinbeck’s novel The Pearl the author uses the pearl to develop one of the most essential universal themes in literature, that of

The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros tells the story of Esperanza Cordero growing up in the Puerto Rican community of Chicago in the form of short stories and poetry. Esperanza longs to own a house that she idealizes as happiness. She strives for a better life outside of the stereotypical gender roles that have suppressed the woman she grew up around. Female genders roles is a strong theme in the novel.

Conventional sexual normative values for males typically include an emphasis of attributes that include self-reliance, dominance, assertion, and a healthy appetite for heterosexual behavior. By contrast, those that apply to females usually include a submissiveness and dependency that is all too oftentimes easily exploited by men. In this respect, the body of literature analyzed within this paper--Sandra Cisneros' "Bien Pretty" and "Anguiano Religious Articles" in Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories, as well as Junot Diaz's "Drown" and "Aguantando"--is demonstrative of these truths as an examination of the characterizations and storylines readily demonstrates. However, what is most noteworthy about Cisneros and Diaz's tales is that these authors also have a penchant for deliberately subverting the typical gender roles associated with each sex, particular those of male characters. In these instances, male characters forsake their traditional assertiveness and dominance and become objectified in ways that are usually reserved for female characters and women in general. In these instances, the authors present a fascinating dichotomy that appears incongruent in its depiction of manhood, for the simple fact that these portraits of male characters combine conventional male attributes with an objectification that is usually reserved for women.

Juan Tomas who is Kino’s older brother, warns him about the peculiarity about the unusual events that happen to him due to discovering the pearl. He says “ There is a devil in this pearl. You should have sold it and passed on the devil” (Bender 98). This quote shows Juan his happy for his brother and wants him to be wealthy but he is also nervous about how society and his life will change around him because everyone wants the pearl.  He hides Kino and Juana in his house after he finds out Kino had killed someone to protect himself. Apolonia who is Juan’s wife warns Kino as well about the dangers of the pearls discovery. She has four children too and agrees to give Kino and Juana housing if they need it. Those characters are well aware of the strange occurrences that follow the finding of the pearl. Steinbeck has included them in his book to show that greed can come of a situation like as illustrated in the book. Another character the doctor, is represented in the book as selfishness and greed in the society. He does not agree to treat Coyotito after he has been bitten by a scorpion until he finds out Kino has a pearl that is worth great fortune. Most people in the book become close to Kino to be closer to the pearl. This demonstrates the lust for currency, which Steinbeck truly despises. The priest as well tries to get close to Kino in hopes he can receive some money. The trackers and

In the book, The Pearl, there is one main instance where Kino, Juana, and Coyotito gain something and it changes them and their lives throughout the whole book. There are many themes, what the characters gain and how it changes them, how does gaining and losing wealth and power affect people, and how the story compares to today’s society.

Although it isn’t as much of difference as the following chapters, Steinbeck does draw a contrast between Juana and Kino during the first two chapters. Two of the differences between Juana and Kino are their descriptions and actions. Kino describes Juana as, “obedient and respectful and cheerful and patient” which tells us Juana is a strong-willed woman yet obedient to Kino. Kino likes to be in charge of his family, which was normal for the man in their time period. Their actions tell us otherwise though. When Coyotito gets stung by the scorpion, Juana is the one who takes action and attempts to suck the venom out of Coyotito’s wound. Kino stands frozen and waits as Juana tells him and the people to go and get the doctor. This is surprising

“And to Kino the secret melody of the maybe pearl broke clear and beautiful, rich and warm and lovely, gloating and glowing in triumph.” (Steinbeck 20). This is one of many memorable quotes from John Steinbeck’s classic, The Pearl. While this story is composed of only eighty-seven pages, the author packs the book with more meaning and teaching than many authors have been able to in hundreds. Set in a small village in La Paz, Mexico, the tale deals with many topics, themes, and issues.

In page 8, it states, “And the newcomers, particularly the beggars from the front of the church who were great experts in financial analysis, looked at Juana’s old blue skirt, saw the tears in her shawl, appraised the green ribbon on her braids, read the age of Kino’s blanket and the thousand washings of his clothes, and set them down as poverty people and went along to see what kind of drama might develop.”. This shows how people in the rich side of the village judges Kino’s people, and Juana knew that well, but she was willing to go into a town full of people who hates her kind, and it didn’t stop her from going in and finding the doctor so that the doctor could save

The Pearl written by John Steinbeck is a parable, a story that teaches a moral lesson. The focus of this novel is on a poor Indian family. The family consists of three members: Kino, a husband, father, and fisherman, Juana, his wife and loving mother; and Coyotito their infant son. This indigent family lives in a small brush hut along the Gulf of Mexico by the town of La Paz. One day Coyotito, is bitten by a scorpion; a scorpion sting can be deadly to a baby. Kino and Juana are very worried over the health of their baby; therefore, they hope to find a pearl worthy enough for the doctor’s payment to the doctor to treat Coyotito. With luck on their side, Kino finds a pearl the size of a seagull’s egg; he calls it “The Pearl of the

     Coyotito is a outcome of Kino and Juana, and this is how he is one of the main characters. Coyotito is a symbol of unchanging innocence being betrayed by his own flesh and blood. Coyotito?s innocence is equivalent to the innocence of an actual pearl; a pearl is secure in it?s shell until something comes along and destroys the pearl?s home and ruin it?s beauty and simplicity. Being good and innocent doesn't matter in this intense world.