Chapter 1:

1. Where does the novel take place?

2. What are the main characters like?
3. Is Kino happy with his life? Why (not)?
4. What does the scorpion represent?
5. Why are the family songs important?
6. What is the doctor a symbol of?
7. Do you think Kino will change? Why (not)?
Chapter 2:
1. What does the canoe represent?
2. How does Juana try to cure Coyotito?
3. What do you think of Kino’s job?
4. Do Kino and Juana have many possibilities to lead a better life?
5. How does Kino react when he finds the pearl?
Chapter 3:
1. What does the pearl represent for Kino and Juana?
2. How do reactions from the villagers towards Kino and Juana change?
3. Why does the doctor visit Coyotito?
4. Do Kino and Juana experiment only external problems?
5. How would you characterize the pearl buyers?

Chapter 4:
1. Who would you associate the pearl buyers with? Why?
2. How is masculinity treated in this chapter?
3. The chapter seems to suggest that the pearl has more detrimental consequences for Kino
and Juana than benefits. Why?
4. What is Juana’s position towards the pearl?

Chapter 5:
1. What do Kino and Juana lose?
2. Why is this significant?
3. Who thinks (the same as Juana) that Kino should have sold the pearl?
4. Which is the greatest damage the pearl has caused?
5. Why does Kino say that the pearl has become his soul?
6. What are the neighbours’ reactions?

Chapter 6:
1. Where do Kino and Juana intend to go?
2. What does Kino intend to do with the money from the pearl?
3. Who is after Kino and Juana?
4. What happens by the stream?
5. What does Coyotito represent? Analyze his name.
6. Describe Kino and Juana at the end of the novel.
7. How does the novel end?