The Pearl by John Steinbeck Essay

In the novel, The Pearl, John Steinbeck uses symbolism to convey the ubiquitous theme that evil can manifest itself in many forms. In the beginning of the parable, Kino and Juana encounter a deadly scorpion threatening their young son, Coyotito. Kino “begins to approach the hanging box, the ‘Song of Evil’... in his ears”. This scorpion is the first of many hosts of evil throughout the book. It represents an endangerment of family and destruction of security.

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.

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.

Steinbeck describes the setting to the reader through the description of Kino using imagery and personification. The figurative language gives the story a mysterious tone. As “the moon crept through the holes” Kino soon relies that Juana is trying to discard the pearl. The tone is created by the personified phrase to allow the reader to feel Kino

In a small town called La Paz, a pearl diver named Kino life turns upside down after the promise of imminent wealth is brought to him. The story of The Pearl, written by John Steinbeck, is a story that swerves left and right, and revolves around greed. With many examples of foreshadowing, imagery, and characterization, John Steinbeck shows many ways that greed can be influential. Greed is like violence, it’s evil and overtakes anything else. John Steinbeck shows this in many ways whether it be how greed can change someone, in literary techniques, and how greed has changed Kino and his family.

Anyone would be happy to get lucky and win some extra cash. But some things might just make a person cross the line and become greedy. In the novella, “The Pearl”, by John Steinbeck, the protagonist, Kino, struggles with greed when a pearl of great value comes into his possession. Kino learns a lesson when his own greed leads to the destruction of his family. Steinbeck develops the theme that materialism and greed left unchecked can lead to immoral behavior by using the symbol of the pearl, the character of the doctor, and the conflicts between the characters.

In the novella “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck, an improvised pearl diver finds a humungous pearl which is described as a “ sea-gull egg. It was the greatest pearl in the world”(26), which he hopes to buy tranquility and happiness for his family. Instead, he learns that the valuable pearl cannot buy happiness but only destroy his simple life. Throughout this novella there is a constant theme woven through the characters and settings which encompasses the struggle among social classes to become successful and the colonial oppression and ill-treatment against the native Indians. The novelist, John Steinback portrays this motif through Kino, the town doctor, Coyotito, and the town of La Paz.

In The Pearl, there is a theme between light and dark, within that theme we see that Steinbeck implements literary devices. One specific device is symbolism, which can be found in every one of his three books. One major symbol that I found was the scorpion. Like the contrast between light and dark that is exemplified in the book, the scorpion is a contrast for the Pearl (which is another huge symbol). The scorpion represents the evil brought upon Kino’s family. As the scorpion approached his beloved son, “[Kino] threw [the scorpion] down and beat it into the earth floor with his fist,” showing the anger which he felt, in regard to the dark side. What is easily concluded from this scene is that Steinbeck hates the rich people of society. The theme of light and dark is often used within the novel, and the dark side is made to be the poor people of society, and the dark side represents the rich people of society. Readers learn, “Kino beat and stamped the enemy until it was only a fragment and a moist place in the dirt.” (Steinbeck, Page 9) This is Steinbeck calling out to his readers and telling them that the wealthy people of society are the “enemies” and they must feel the same pain which everyone else lives with. The wealthy, too, should feel like a “fragment” and “place in the dirt” because it is only fair, it is, perhaps, Steinbeck calling for

Greed is perhaps one of the most destructive forces in this world, it breeds anger, hate, jealousy, and more. The novella “The Pearl” is based on how the finding of a pearl causes greed to be awakened in the hearts of people and cause them to commit evil. During the Novella, Steinbeck develops the theme that greed left unchecked can cause immoral behavior and that is show in the doctor, the attackers, and Kino. All of them are forced by greed to commit sins that they otherwise would not do.

In the very beginning of the story Steinbeck takes a couple pages to describe the Family song. Kino and his family have a very repetitive morning routine, so much so he knows what’s happening without even looking. “Kino could see these things without looking at them” This shows how Kino is relaxed. “In Kino’s head there was a song now, clear and soft, and if he had been able to speak of it he would have called it the song of the family.” This is one of the instances where the author uses the symbolism to set the mood for the reader creating a calm, relaxed mood.

In the beginning of The Pearl there is tranquility and peace with what is happening to Kino and his family. That the natives of the village were fine on how the wealthy people treated them because they could do nothing about it and that's how they have always lived. If indians had their family with them they could overcome anything and would protect them at any cost to get the best for them. Before they had changed in their lives Kino, Juana and Coyotito life they thought only positively. “Kino’s eyes opened, and he looked first at the lightening square which was the door and then he looked at the hanging box where Coyotito slept. And last he turned his head to Juana, his wife, who lay beside him on the mat…”. First reaction was to look at the door which shows protection for family, trying to make the best decisions for them. Then looks at his son to insure that he has a better future than them so he can succeed in life. After that Kino looks that his wife who motivates and supports him in anyway to help them survive. “That does not mean that there was no personal song. In Kino’s head there was a song now, clear soft, and if he had been able to

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.

wash of light in the lower sky to the east.” In The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, he tells the tragic story of poverty stricken young couple and their baby who suffer from the consequences of wanting. After finding “The Pearl of the World,” Kino and Juana are plagued with violence and misfortune that surround the pearl and its value, ultimately leading to the baby’s death. Throughout the novel, John Steinbeck describes the different aspects of Kino such as man, animal, and machine.

Kino has been ambushed during the night and has killed someone. Juan Tomas recommends him to get rid of it because it has caused a lot of trouble. “"I was attacked in the dark," said Kino. "And in the fight I have killed a man." "Who?", asked Juan Tomás quickly. "I do not know. It is all darkness – all darkness and shape of darkness." "It is the pearl," said Juan Tomás. "There is a devil in this pearl. You should have sold it and passed on the devil. Perhaps you can still sell it and buy peace for yourself."” (Steinbeck 64) Yet, Kino’s actions still don’t convince him to take Juan Tomas’s advice, as a result Kino faces the biggest tragedy he has experienced which is losing his son, Coyotito.

Kino refers to different songs throughout the text because it provides a brilliant way for the reader to understand Kino’s emotions. Certain songs, like the “Song of the Family” or the “Song of Evil” allows characterization of Kino. This is only possible because Steinbeck wrote this book in the third person omniscient point of view. Also, certain songs, like the “Song of the Family”, help humanize Kino and allow the reader to relate to him. At first glance, Kino can be seen as a greed corrupted maniac who commits various crimes to become rich. However, through the “Song of the Family” we see Kino as a loving father and passionate husband who is trying to do everything he can to help his