The Pearl

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The Pearl Is Not What It Seems One day the poor fisherman, Kino, found “ the greatest pearl in the world”, that was perfect as the moon (Steinbeck 10). Consequently, this results in a big conflict that takes place throughout the entire story. In the novella, The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, Kino and Juana’s baby Coyotito, sadly gets stung by a scorpion. Later on, in La Paz, Kino and Juana try to find a doctor to cure Coyotito and get him back to normal to live their natural lifestyle again. Unfortunately, Kino doesn’t have enough money to pay the doctor so Kino goes out to find the pearl that changes his life. Steinbeck skillfully uses the pearl as a symbol to illustrate the emotions of hope, despair, and defiance of the character Kino.
Steinbeck skillfully uses the pearl as a symbol to illustrate hope. When Kino cannot get the help he needed, …show more content…

At the same time, Kino’s neighbors are trying to steal his pearl, Kino is growing hatred to people around him. When Juana is trying to help Kino with his cut, he says he’s ok with “his eyes and voice were hard and cold” ( 20 ). Kino has never showed anger towards her as he was caring towards her and the baby. Juana senses the pearl is changing him. Shortly, after Juana sees changes in Kino she starts talking about the pearl. Juana confronts Kino saying “This thing [pearl] is evil, this pearl is like a sin” ( 20 ). In the end, Kino’s mind has been set as he wants to do something about the pearl. He just can’t throw it away. At the same time, Juana still tries to convince him about throwing the pearl away. Juana tries to make Kino change his mind so she says “It will destroy us all” ( 20 ). Sadly, talking about their child did not scare or change his mind at all as he already thinks Coyotito’s future will be better if they keep it and sell it later. As a whole, the pearl changes Kino deeply, he doesn’t listen to his wife and takes control of her with

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