Responsibility In The Pearl

Desires drive people, it motivates people to do irrational and pointless things. Desire is not necessarily a bad thing, as it acts as a driving force, pushing individuals to do great things. But is desire, in any of its forms, more important than happiness or safety? Such a question is posed by John Steinbeck in his novella The Pearl. In the story, a pearl diver named Kino, native ito and living in Baja California, finds a magnificent pearl, as perfect as the moon and as large as a seagull’s egg. The news of his good fortune spreads, attracting curious neighbors, but also the prying eyes of envious people, such as the local priest, doctor, and the pearl buyers. And when these people try to scam and then steal Kino’s pearl, Kino decides take

For Kino and Juana, their primary responsibility is taking care of their family, and keeping each other safe. In the story, both of them fail to meet either of these expectations, making it painfully clear that they are to blame for Coyotito’s death. Kino is responsible for Coyotito’s death because he refuses to get rid of his great pearl. When Coyotito is stung by a scorpion, Kino contacts the town doctor to come and cure his child. After much refusal, the doctor finally agrees to help his child, but only after hearing that Kino possessed a great pearl. The doctor, a greedy and terrible person, sends a thief to rob Kino of his pearl when he can not get Kino to give up his pearl. After Kino fights off the unwelcome guest, Juana tells him, “‘This thing is evil… This pearl is like a sin! It will destroy us,’ and her voice rose shrilly. ‘Throw it away, Kino. Let us break it between stones. Let us bury it and forget the place. Let us throw it back into the sea. It has brought evil. Kino, my husband, it will destroy us´” (Steinbeck 65). Kino’s responsibility is to take care of his family and keep them safe. By disregarding Juana’s words, he puts all of them in danger, therefore, he is responsible for the result this decision, which is the death of his son. Juana tells Kino this multiple times, but each and every time, he refuses to give up his pearl, believing that the pearl is