The Pearl

1. Choose one of the novels. What are some lessons that can be learnt from this novel? Support your
answer with close reference to the novel you have chosen.

This novel teaches me the importance of love, patience and courage, when trying to survive in a cruel and
wicked world.

When Coyotito was stung by the scorpion, we could see that Kino and Juana’s actions were propelled by their
love and sustained by courage. First, in spite of the danger to himself, Kino tried to catch the scorpion with his
bare hands. Then, they patiently endured their humiliation to beg the doctor to help their sick child.

When things went even more wrong, with the people trying to cheat them, and the trackers going after them,
the couple’s action and decisions were again based on their love for each other, supported by courage and
sustained by patience. When Kino hit Juana in a rage, she patiently bore it. She was not swayed in her devotion
to him. Her thoughts were for him, and not herself. When the trackers were closing in on them, Kino wanted to
lead the trackers away, bravely sacrificing himself so his family could escape. In response, Juana, in her love for
him, refuses to let him make this sacrifice. It took real courage for the woman to be willing to face the evil
trackers. Then, when the child is killed, the couple needed love, courage and patience to go on living as heroes in
the face of adversity.

2. Choose one of the novels. Write about one or two important themes that are expressed in the novel.
You must support your points with close reference to the novel you have chosen.

In my opinion, the main theme of the novel “The Pearl” is its ironical message to poverty-stricken people that
wealth brings evil and that they should just remain poor. Steinbeck presents this message in such a way that we
balk at it, feeling its bitter injustice.

“The Pearl” is set in a society that is divided into two main groups: the rich and the poor. The rich just want to
get richer. For example, the doctor is only interested in treating rich people and later, in order to get the pearl
from Kino, even attempts to poison the baby. The priest is also only interested in money. He does not marry Kino
and Juana because they cannot afford to make a contribution to the church but rushes to see Kino when he has the
pearl. Another example involves the pearl dealers. They play on Kino’s ignorance and the monopolistic situation
to cheat him.

The poor people, the natives, are exploited by the rich figures of authority such as the doctor and the priest.
Furthermore, they are taught that they should remain in their place in society, no matter how lowly it should be.
In fact, the priest used to make a sermon ever year that each man and woman was “like a soldier sent by God to
guard some part of the castle of the universe. Each must not go running about, else the castle is in danger from
the assaults of hell.”

When Kino finds the “Pearl of the world”, he believes the great pearl is his ticket to a better life. However,
having the pearl leads only to a whole sting of disasters – the doctor poisons the baby, Kino stabs a man and kills
another and Kino beats up his wife.

To Juana, the pearl quickly becomes evil. She tells Kino “It will destroy us all”. In the end, Kino also realizes
that wealth brings him evil and throws the pearl back into the sea.

3. Choose one of the novels. What moral values or lessons are expressed in the novel you have chosen?
You must give details from the novel support your answer.

One of the moral values taught in this novel is the importance of perseverance and tenacity. Kino and Juana face
a barrage of problems bravely and can still go on fighting. Juana stands up to fatigue and hunger. In the canoe,
Juana paddles like a strong man. Even when their child is killed, they still do not break down or give up.

Connected to that is the importance of courage when facing danger. Kino is unafraid of the scorpion’s sting. He
conquers his fear of the trackers and manages to kill them.

In times of danger, one must act for the good of other, especially one’s family. Thus is the meaning of
selflessness and loyalty. In The Pearl, Kino wants to lead the trackers away from his family so that they can
escape. However, Juana, though a woman, refuses Kino’s offer to let them escape because she wants to stay with
him. Even though Kino had hit Juana, she remains loyal to him and wants to save him.

Finally, one of the main moral lessons that we should learn is the importance of moral integrity , justice and
honesty. Kino and his family have to face gross injustice. Firstly, from the doctor, who sees the natives only as
servants to be exploited, animals to be ignored, or victims to be cheated and robbed; and from the pearl dealers,
who try to cheat him. In contrast, Kino, though a poor man, faced with grave danger, maintains his integrity.
When Kino’s canoe is destroyed and his life is in danger, Kino still does not even entertain the thought of taking
a neighbour’s boat. His strong moral sense stands out in shape contrast with the scrupulous pearl buyers, the
doctor and the other “civilised” men.

4. Choose one of the novels. To what extent is the theme of Justice expressed in the novel you have
chosen? Give evidence from the text to support your answer.

The question of justice, or injustice, forms an important theme in “The Pearl”.

Injustice is first shown in the character of the doctor, who is only interested in treating the rich. A society where
the poor have no access no medical treatment is surely unjust. In fact, the doctor comes from a race which for
hundreds of year has oppressed and cheated Kino’s race. Like others of his race, the doctor sees the natives only
as servants to be exploited, or victims to be cheated and robbed.

The theme of injustice is also expressed in the character of the priest, who does not marry Kino and Juana
because they cannot afford to make a contribution to the church.

The pearl dealers, representing the merchant class, also conduct their behaviour with no regard to fair play or
justice. Their only goal is to get the magnificent pearl cheaply. Playing on Kino’s ignorance and monopolistic
situation, they offer him a paltry sum for his pearl.

One of the ways in which Steinbeck makes clear his hatred of the injustice is to contrast the behaviour of the so-
called “superior” race with that of the “inferior” one. Think for example, of the occasion when Kino’s canoe is
destroyed and his life in danger, Kino still does not even entertain the thought of taking a neighbour’s boat. His
strong moral sense stands out in sharp contrast with the unscrupulous pearl buyers, the doctor and the other
“civilised” men.

5. Money is the root of all evil. Support your answer with evidence from the text.

“The Pearl” is set in a society that is divided into two main groups: the rich and the poor. The poor people are
exploited by the rich figures of authority such as the doctor and the pearl dealers. For example, the doctor is only
interested in treating rich people and later, to get the pearl from Kino, even poisons the baby. Next, the priest is
only interested in money. He does not marry Kino and Juana because they cannot afford to make a contribution to
the church but rushes to see Kino when he has the pearl. Then, the pearl dealers play on Kino’s ignorance and the
monopolistic situation so as to make as much money as they can.

When Kino finds the “Pearl of the World,” he believes the great pearl is his ticket to health, an education, and a
better life. However, is brings a string of disasters – the doctor poisons the baby; Kino stabs a man who attempts
to enter his cabin to steal the pearl; Kino hits Juana for trying to throw away the pearl; and finally Coyotito is
killed. Therefore, in this story it is true that money is the root of all evil.

6. Choose one novel. To what extent does this novel express the importance of love? Support your
answer with close reference to the novel you have studied.

The story of “The Pearl” is centred around the life of a family. Kino, Juana and their child, Coyotito. They were
living an idyllic life, and from the opening chapters, it is said that in Kino’s head there was just one song – the
Song of the Family.

Then the trouble befell them. When Coyotito was stung by the scorpion, we could see that Kino and Juana’s
actions were propelled by their love and concern for their child. First, ignoring the danger to himself, Kino tried
to catch the scorpion with his bare hand. Then, they were willing to face humiliation to beg the doctor to help
their sick child. Then, when they went pearl diving, Juana’s prayer was so intense because her need was so great,
the need to help her ailing child.

After they found the pearl, somehow Coyotito had recovered. So Kino’s desires change. At this point, he did
desire things for himself, a harpoon, a rife for example, but these dreams paled in comparison to his dreams for a
better life for Coyotito. He dreamt that his child would go to school. Juana’s dreams were also centred on love
for her family – she wanted to be properly married in church.

Then, when things went wrong, the couple again showed that their actions and decisions were based on their
love for each other. When Kino hit Juana in a rage, she was not swayed in her devotion on him. Her thoughts
were for him, and not herself. When the trackers were closing in on them, Kino wanted to lead the trackers away,
sacrificing himself so his family could escape. In response, Juana refused to let him make this sacrifice. Right to
the end, when the child is killed, we can see that the couple’s strong love for each other held them together as a
strong family unit.

7. What have you read in the novel that teachers you importance of perseverance? Refer closely to one of
the prescribed novels.
 “The Pearl” is set in an unfair society where the rich exploit the poor natives, one of them being the protagonist
of the story, Kino.

I this novel, Kino and his wife face a host of problems, one after another. Yet, they still manage to find the
tenacity to try to solve each new problem, to fight back against their misfortune; to go on.

When Kino’s son, Coyotito, is bitten by a scorpion, they steel themselves to go and ask the doctor for help.
When the doctor will not treat their baby due to their poverty, they go diving for pearls. When Kino gets into
trouble with the law, he is undeterred – he takes his family and flees. Their canoe and home are destroyed but
they do not give up in despair. He is followed by a pack of armed vicious trackers who intends to kill his whole
family after robbing him but he does not surrender. He fights them and even manages to escape and kill a tracker.

Juana is as tenacious as Kino. When Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion, she applies first aid without losing her
head. After being hit by Kino, Juana seems undeterred. She is still loyal to him. She can withstand fatigue and
hunger almost better than Kino. She refuses Kino’s offer to let her escape while he faces the trackers alone.

Even after their child is killed, Juana and Kino do not give up. At this point, they decide to fight against what
they feel is the source of their problems – the pearl. Finally, Kino throws the pearl back into the sea.

8. Choose one of the novels. Which character do you like most in the novel? You must give details from
the novel that you have chosen.

Of all the characters in “The Pearl”, I like Juana the most. We first meet Juana performing the actions of a very
dutiful and obedient wife and mother. She seems a submissive and simple woman. However, we soon learn that
she can display considerable strength when the occasion requires it.

Firstly, Juana possesses physical strength. In the canoe she was like a strong man. Fleeing from the trackers, she
could withstand fatigue and hunger almost better than Kino. Then, Juana remains cool in a crisis. When Coyotito
is bitten by a scorpion, she applies first aid without panicking. She is usually the one who jolts Kino into an
awareness of the realities of their situation and the action that they must take to save themselves. For example,
after he kills the man, she tells him they must flee.

Juana is realistic and wise. After being hit by Kino, Juana seems undeterred. She can understand that this is the
way a man would react in this situation. Later on, in their bid to escape, she knows that their lives would not be
spared by the trackers so Kino’s plan so sacrifice him for them would be useless.

Juana is selfless and loyal. After being hit by Kino, Juana is still loyal to him. Later again, she refuses to leave
him and escape – She rejects Kino’s offer to let her and the baby escape while ha faces the trackers alone.

Finally, Juana shows tenacity and strength of character. In the end, even when her child is killed, she does not
break down or given up. She is strength that holds up her man, Kino.

9. Choose one of the novels. Which character in the novel do you dislike the most? You must support
your answer with details from the novel that you have chosen.

Of all the characters in “The Pearl”, I dislike the doctor the most. He is ugly – not merely in his physical
appearance, but more so, in his character. And both his excess wealth and his excess weight come from his
continuous oppression of the people.

His is a greedy and discontented man, pampering himself with luxurious food and possessions. His greed and
materialistic attitude can be also seen by how he only treats those who can afford to be treated and demands to
see the money before he treats anyone. Then, when he hears about the pearl, he comes seeking Kino. He is even
willing to reverse Juana’s healing treatment by giving the baby a dangerous substance.

The doctor is grossly immoral. There are references to abortions he performed and he has a mistress in Paris.
Even the beggar’s knows of “his ignorance, his cruelty, his avarice, his appetites, his sins”.

He is a racist: “The doctor was of a race which for nearly four hundred years had beaten and starved and robbed
and despised Kino’s race and frightened it too, so that the indigence came humbly to the door.” He even thinks
of the Indians as animals. Referring to Kino’s request for treatment for his baby, he says “I am a doctor, not a
veterinary”.

10. Choose one of the novels. Choose any one character from the novel and write about good and bad
qualities of the character. You must given details from the novel that you have chosen.

Kino’s good qualities are apparent. Firstly, he is a good husband and father. He does not think twice before
endangering himself to save his son from the scorpion. In doing this, he also shows his spirit of selflessness, and
loyalty as well as strength and courage. Then, when his family is in danger of being killed by the trackers, Kino
wants to sacrifice himself so that his family can escape.

Kino also shows wisdom. Though supposedly ignorant, Kino realises that the pearl traders are trying to cheat
him. Earlier on, he realizes that the doctor despises him and his family.

Through these hosts of problems, Kino shows tenacity. He faces each problem in turn, and can still get up and
go on fighting. Even when their child is killed, he does not break down or give up.

Kino can be said to stand for every man, in his struggle to lead life bravely and heroically in a cruel world. Yet,
even heroes are human.

One of Kino’s traits is that he is superstitious. He believes that inanimate objects, like trees can bring bad luck.
Secondly, being human, he is affected by dreams of wealth and good life the pearl would bring him. A simple
man, he dreams, for example, of buying a good rifle and nice clothes. He becomes obsessed with the pearl and
even says that it is his life. Kino even hits his wife when she attempts to throw the pearl away, in a bid to protect
their family.

So, it is clear that Kino does have his own share of weakness. However, this only makes him a real human
being, one who the reader can relate to.

11. Life is an education. Choose one or more characters from one of the novels and show how this
statement is shown to be true. You must support your points with close reference to the text.

“The Pearl” is set in society where the educated people exploit the ignorance and naives natives, one of whom
is the protagonist of the story, Kino.

Kino lives a simple and idyllic life. He has no desire for wealth or power. However, when he comes face with
danger (his child is bitten by a scorpion but the doctor will not treat him) and learns about racial prejudice, he
also realises that he needs money to provide for his family. Dealing with the pearl dealers teaches him about
dishonestly and the trickery of the business world. Hearing unfair platitudes from the priest, he learns that some
religious leaders are hypocrites.

Consequently, he learns to suspect evil – that people will do anything to steal his pearl and needing to protect
himself and his family, he learns to kill.

Finally, he learns that he cannot fight against the fact that he has to remain poor. He realises that seeking wealth
will only give him grief – unfair but this is a reality. At least it is, according to how Steinbeck portrays it in this
novel.

12. Literature gives the reader the opportunity to find out about different ways of life. What have you learnt
about different cultures or ways of life in the novel that you have read? You must provide details from
the novel you have studied.

In this novel, we learn about the life of a poor community on the Gulf of Mexico. The majority of the people are
Central American natives, mostly simple pearl divers like Kino. Living so closely together in brush houses, there
are no secret in their lives; gossip spreads swiftly along the grapevines. Close and caring, they depend on each
other for help and offer opinions on each others’ predicaments. Judging from the life of Kino and Juana, they are
content with their simple lifestyle, at one with nature, keeping pigs and fowls and cooking corncakes over open
coal fires.

The upper strata of the community consist of the European colonists, represented by the doctor, the priest and
the pearl merchants. We soon learn that the colonists despise their life in the colony, for example, dreaming about
his past life in Paris, the doctor thought “that was civilized living”. We discover how the colonial master despise
the natives and “have been exploiting them for hundreds of years Likewise, the priest doesn’t care for their
physical or spiritual welfare. He does not marry Kino and Juana because they cannot afford to make a
contribution to the church. However, he rushes to see Kino and Juana when they have the pearl, hinting that they
should show their gratitude to God by making a donation to the church.

We also see how the whole social system is engineered by these colonialist figures of authority to keep the
natives poor. This is shown in the unfair monopolistic system of the pearl dealers, whose unfair dealings are
sanctified by the church.

I also find it in interesting to read about the way of life of the pearl divers, the primitive methods they practise,
the dangers they face in the sea, and their superstitions which must be part of a livelihood that depend on the
occasional lucky find.
 Their system of beliefs is intriguing. Ruled by the sermons of the Catholic priest, they do not have the Christian
concept of a loving God but believe that their lives are ruled by devils and “gods who could not be trusted”.
Faced with danger, they chant mantras “combining Hall Mary’s and ancient intercession”. Extremely
superstitious, they believe, for example, that touching trees can bring bad luck. At one point, Juana even believes
that the pearl is evil and tries to throw it away.

13. Choose one of the novels. Write about one incident in the novel that you find most memorable. Write
about this incident, explaining clearly why it is so memorable, giving details from the novel.

The event that I consider the most memorable in The Pearl is the point when the baby Coyotito is killed.

Kino and his wife are being pursued by the trackers, who are after their pearl. That pearl has become the most
important thing in Kino’s life. He has even struck his beloved wife in anger because of it. If he had surrendered
the pearl, his family’s life would not be in peril, but he said “This pearl has become my soul. If I give it up, I lose
my soul”.

And now, the trackers are close on the trail. He can see them from the cave where he hides with his family.
Finally, he decides that he has no choice but to attack the trackers while they are resting. It is either kill or be
killed. He creeps up on them stealthily, but just as he is about to leap out, he hears his baby cry. The trackers
actually think it is just a coyote and yet one of the trackers fires casually in the direction of the sound. At that
moment, Kino attacks. After fierce fighting, Kino is able to kill all three men. But when he sees that they are all
dead, he hears the sound of Juana’s keening wail, the cry of death.

This scene is riveting because the suspense has been building up – will Kino be killed, or will he manage to kill
the trackers? Then, when the baby cries, this adds another question mark to the end result. And then, there is utter
horror at the knowledge of the baby’s death.

The event is also important because it cause a complete turnaround for Kino. The pearl no longer has a hold on
him. In fact, he throws it back into the sea.

14. Choose one of the novels. Did you like the way the novel ends? Give reasons for your answer, referring
closely to the novel. If you did not like the ending, suggest a different ending.

After reading “The Pearl”, I was filled with indignation. I definitely do not like the way the story ends, it is just
too pessimistic.

Steinbeck starts the story by introducing us to two beautiful characters, Kino and Juana, who are living idyllic
lives. But, all too soon the bubble of happiness bursts. Kino’s son is bitten by a scorpion. Then, Kino finds a pearl
which he hopes will give his family a better life. However, they are bombarded with many problems.

Firstly, Kino is forced to stab a man who attempts to enter his cabin in the night. Then, the pearl dealers try to
cheat him. Later, when Juana, fearing the evil of the pearl, attempts to throw it away. Kino beats her! Then, Kino
is forced to kill a man attempting to steal the pearl. After fleeing the village, they are hunted down by trackers.
Displaying great courage, Kino is able to kill the trackers. But, after this show of courage and tenacity, Coyotito
is killed!

Then the ending to all this is that Kino throws the pearl into the sea. In my opinion, this is not much of a
solution since he is still in trouble for several murders. And, he has now lost all his chances of having a more
prosperous life. Sadly, this seems to be the message of the story – which the poor can never break out of their
roll of suffering victims. This is such a pessimistic attitude!

Why must Kino remain poor forever? He should be able to escape the shackles of poverty. He should be a true
hero and able to escape to town, grow rich through doing business in an ethical way and show that the good can
succeed, and that the successful can remain good.

15. Choose one of the novels. How is the title of the novel relevant to the story? You must support your
answer with close reference to the novel that you have chosen.

The plot of “The Pearl” is indeed centred around happenings set off by the finding of a pearl. When Kino finds
the “Pearl of the World” he believes the great pearl is his baby’s ticket to health, an education, and a better life.
Juana looks forward to being able to be married in the church now that they have money. However, superstitions
of the village begin to make Juana fear that the pearl is evil and will bring them grief. However, this is only the
beginning of greater problems to come:
– Wanting to get the pearl , the doctor comes to treat the baby, giving him “medication” that makes him very
ill – Kino stabs a man who attempts to enter his cabin to steal the pearl
– Kino tries to sell the pearl but the dealers try to cheat him
– Then, he has to kill a man who is also attempting to steal the pearl
– In trouble with the law, Kino takes Juana and Coyotito and flee but trackers come for them
– Kino is able to kill the trackers who are trying to get the pearl but Coyotito is killed

“The Pearl” takes on different appearances throughout the story as it begins to stand for different things. In the
beginning, the pearl’s secret melody is described, like the pearl itself, as “clear and beautiful, rich and warm and
lovely, glowing and gloating and triumphant.” To Kino, thought, “the lovely gray surface of the pearl came the
little things he wanted: a harpoon… a rifle.” To Juana, however, the pearl quickly becomes evil. She tells Kino,
“It will destroy us all… Even our son.”

At the end of the novel, Kino sees her point of view and throws the pearl back into the sea.

1. Choose one of the novels. Did you enjoy reading the novel? Give reasons for your answer, using details
from the novel you have studied.

Yes. It involved all my emotions.

• The reason:
– Felt empathy with Kino and Juana, and cute baby Coyotito when he was bitten by a scorpion
– Hated the fat, immoral doctor who exploited the natives and insinuated that they were no better than animals
– Furious that the doctor should refuse to treat the baby and scorned the patient seed pearls
– Also hated the slimy priest who was only interested in his parishioner’s material wealth. He was a disgrace
to his calling
– Most of all, hated the trackers, who came after the family
– Wept when Coyotito was killed

• The plot was full of suspense

– Kino went to dive for pearls to get pay for medication for his child but found the pearl.
– The doctor came to treat the baby, giving him “medication” that made him very ill.
– Kino stabbed a man who attempted to enter his cabin.
– Kino tried to sell the pearl – the dealers tried to cheat him.
– Kino had to kill a man attempting to steal the pearl.
– Kino ran away with his family but the trackers followed.
– Kino was able to kill the trackers.
– Unfortunately Coyotito was killed.

• Enjoy the twist – Kino threw the pearl back into the sea.