ANALISIS OF THE PEARL

John Steinbeck
Theoretical Perspective

1. Who wrote the passage and who is he/she? (Biographical sketch)

John Steinbeck the author of the pearl was born in Salinas, California, in 1902.
Despite the fact that the writer grew up in a rural valley near the pacific coast,
he could become an intense reader because of both his father and mother
encouraged his literary pursuits. In 1919, he studied literature and writing at
Stanford University. Without a degree, he left it to pursue work as a reporter
New York City, where he wrote his first novel. Over the next years, his literary
career became famous because of the publication of his first novels. Even
though his first three, Cup of Gold, The Pastures of Heaven, and to a God
Unknown were critical and commercial failures, he achieved major success in
1935 with the publication of Tortilla Flat. However, in 1939 with his novel the
grapes of wrath led prosperity to turn Steinbecks bad reputation since in his
novel he did a hard critique about the poor and marginalized people
misfortunes. In 1940 he traveled six weeks with his friend Ed Ricketts, in a
small biological laboratory. They were to Baja where they lived among
Mexican people. This trip was an influence to have a personal change and
without forgetting about his rejection to the American materialism, he decided
to start writing truthful events. Steinbecks simple, touching novella The
Pearl originally appeared in the magazine Womans Home Companion in 1945
under the title The Pearl of the World. The story explores the destructive
effect of colonial capitalism on the simple piety of a traditional native
culture. The Pearl is not among Steinbecks most critically acclaimed works,
but it has exerted a certain amount of influence in American literature.
2. What is the passage about?
The passage starts with the mood of the environment and how its surroundings is
related with the context. As a rising action, calamity shows up when Coyotito is
stung by a scorpion. Hoping to protect their son, Kino and Juana decide to go to
the doctor in the village. When they arrive at the doctor`s gate, they are turned
away because they are really poor who cannot pay any intervention to get out the
poison from his body.

Kino and Juana go fishing and find a big pearl. They are happy because the pearl is
going to give them a lot of money, and they can get sell the pearl and have money
to pay a Coyotitos medical treatment.
After finding the pearl, Kino and his family decided to go back to village in order
to buy to gain money for their main purpose. But in the process of selling, they get
some problems on the way such as kills, fights and inconveniences coming from
The Pearl which led them to a loss of both the pearl and Coyotito.
3. A quest consists of five things: (a) a quester, (b) a place to go, (c) a stated
reason to go there, (d) challenges and trials in route, and (e) a real reason to
go there. Identify these aspects in the text.
a. A quester: undoubtedly Kino is considered a stronger searcher of
wealth and prestigious for his family through the pearl.
b. A place to go: the hurried way to go to the sea, ended up being
exposed to discover supposedly family`s prophecy.
c. A stated reason to go there: At the end, achieving a better quality of
life.
d. Challenges and trials in route: All the incidents and moments Kino`s
family had to face because they were holding what they believe it was
the perfect solution to overcome them.
e. A real reason to go there: To contemplate a peaceful place to live in
family.
4. What kind of relationships are there among the characters?
Rebellious: The discovery of the pearl brings many problems that take place
in the colony Kino and his family live in. As many people want to take
possession of the pearl Kino has to protect it, even if it means involve to kill
others.
Familiar: The relationship Kino that has with his whole family. He lives
together with his wife and son. Additionally, he continuously interacts with
his brother Juan Toms and Apolonia, his brothers wife which were crucial
for keeping them together.
o Another relevant relationship presented in the story is the one Juana
and Kino displayed in the story since Juana was a character with
wisdom and common sense whereas Kino is guided by his desires
and unfeasible dreams. Different characters who collide each other
because of the power over his wife

 Interest: Although the relationship between Coyotito and the Doctor was
not physically directed, it is defined by interests in both sides. Kino and
Juana wanted medical attention and the Doctor wanted just money and his
posterior interest to get wealth from the pearl.
Social: the constant contact Kino has with his neighbors. This relationships
are strengthened once Kino and Juana find the valuable pearl.
5. What political, social, religious, and geographical, associations can be
inferred?
Social: The society Kino lives seems to be discriminatory. Natives are
considered to be less important than Spaniards. This representation of
superiority is displayed on the doctor, who denies Kinos request to cure
Coyotito.
Religion: Catholic religion plays an important role in the society described
in The Pearl. The priest is considered one of the most important person of
the colony, and his presence in Kinos house is seen as a huge privilege.
Additionally, it is evident that Kino gives special attention to religion, he
manifests that as soon as he receives the money from the pearl he will have a
religious ceremony in the church for him and his wife. Church marriages
represent Gods blessing and approval.
Geographical: This kind of association can be inferred since the beginning of
the book when the author describes the place in which Kino and his family
are landing. The story takes place in a Mexican coastal village on the Baja
California.
6. What themes are considered?
a. The fallacy of the American Dream
b. Greed as a trigger of the tragedy.
c. God`s will upon Character`s decisions.
d. The role of Fate.
e. Oppression towards Colonial Societies.
f. The Role of Songs

7. What could you explain about the title and its relation to the text?
The pearl is the most representative element that led all the Kinos struggles,
hopes and disappointments to take place in the story. It has somehow a
connection with the bible because the jewel becomes the figure of heaven and
no matter all the things surrounded, the most important principle is the family
upon money and wealth. A contradicted message beyond the title. The story
clearly depicts a great deal to the biblical story of the pearl of great price, and
to a certain extent the familiar rhythms and easily understandable moral
lessons of the novel help to explain its continuing power and popularity.
8. How does symbolism affect the development of the text?
During the story, there were two objects that affect the transition of it;
absolutely, the principal element was the pearl when appeared in the sea, it is
seen as the hope that Kinos family had in order to pay the doctor to cure
Coyotito and the way to find a better conditions and education for their dear
son without any oppression. But, this pearl brought tragedy to the
community, when they realized of its existence and decided to call it the
pearl of the word. This pearl made that Kino lost his mind in the greed to
have a good fortune for his family. So, that is why the pearl stopped being a
great hope and turned being a threat to the community, especially in the
Kinos family.
The second symbol was the scorpion because Kino wanted to cure Coyotito
of the sting of the scorpion. It was the reason why Kino had to look for a
pearl to have money and save his child.
Personal Perspective
1. What did you like/not like about the text? (Empathy)
I liked so much the way the story and Steinbeck`s life is related. I have to
say that the fact of knowing the biography of the author helps me to
understand the context of the novel. I could tie nots like the description
about the nature and environment evidenced in the story is because I knew
his love for nature and peace, otherwise I would not be able to understand
the reason why he mentions so many details related with the setting. Kinos
physical and spiritual existence is intimately connected with the natural
world.

2. What emotions/feelings did you get during and after reading the
passage?
During the reading, I felt anger in the sense that always the bad things
happen to poor people and the power is hold by the ones who make others
life difficult. That inequality is observed through the story. The oppression
of native cultures towards vulnerable ones.
3. What idea was interesting for you?
The most interesting idea that touches my heart is that after finding a
magnificent pearl, Kino seeks to sell it to acquire wealth. He wishes for his
sons wound to heal, and for his son to obtain an education and become an
equal to the European colonists who keep his people in a state of ignorance
and poverty. It illustrates that still today many cultures are looking for an
easy success rather than sacrificing and getting things with endeavor. As
Kino was thinking in the pearl as a way to improve his life. We believe that
treasures and a better quality of life will be found in the next corner or even
fall from sky. We do not think that having goods implies discipline and hard
work.
1. What do you think the writer wishes the reader thinks about? Why?
Perhaps a reflection we can grasp from the story and what the author wants
us to think is that no matter how much money you earn or whether you have
power or not, that is not the key of happiness, family is the most valuable
and is not bought by coins, bills or even treasures. The message is simple if
you conserve your family, there is a great possibility to gain success.
2. Illustrate the text with pictures and identify a type of music that could be
associated to it.
Throughout the novel, whenever Kino has a particularly powerful feeling or
instinct, he hears a song in his head that corresponds to that feeling. When
he is happy with his family in Chapter 1, for instance, he hears the Song of
the Family. When he senses malice or dishonesty, he hears the Song of Evil.

These songs point to the oral nature of Kinos cultural tradition. The
ancient, familiar songs, presumably handed down from generation to
generation, occupy such a central place in how Kinos people perceive
themselves that the songs actually give form to their inner feelings. Kino is
much less likely to become aware of the sensation of wariness than he is to
hear the Song of Danger in his head. Similarly, he is much less likely to
take action because of his own conscious judgment than because he
associates the song with a certain kind of urgent behavior in relation to the
outside world. The songs also point to Steinbecks original conception
of The Pearl as a film project; in a motion picture, the songs could be
played out loud for the audience to hear and thus function as recurring
motifs and melodies that would underscore the storys themes
3. How do you think the text illustrates cultural characteristics of the United
States?
The American Dream:
In a way, Kinos desire to use the pearl to improve his life echoes the traditional
narrative of the American dream. He attempts to transform hard work into
material wealth, and material wealth into education, comfort, and familial
advancement. According to this reading, Kinos gradual corruption and the
storys tragic conclusion hint at a fundamental flaw in the American dream: it
condones sacrifice of virtue for material gain. Additionally, Kinos gradual
disillusionment with the pearl (as he realizes that it wont make his life better)
underscores the fallacy of the American dream itself. Rather than widespread
opportunity, Kino finds a world of powerful, greedy men conniving to take his
wealth away from him dishonestly.