The Pearl

By John Steinbeck
 Three Themes in The Pearl
• The struggle for survival

• Oppression and social class

• Corruption by material wealth

 The Pearl is a parable.
• A short story that
teaches a universal
truth
 Chapter One
• Family=Safety, warmth, the Whole
• Evil=“any foe of the family”
• Watch for the songs
• Juana combines old/new ways.
• Setting contrasts old/new; rich/poor
• For oppressed class “Rage and terror went
together.”
 Chapter One, cont.
***Why is it
surprising that
Juana wants a
doctor?
 Chapter Two
• Setting—mirages cause people to trust
imagination, not eyes
***Why is the canoe so important?
***Why is it not good to want a thing too
much?
***What dreams do you think Kino sees in
the pearl?
Chapter Two, cont.
• Notice!
• Pearl=accident of
nature
 Chapter Three
• Note reactions of priest, shopkeeper, doctor,
beggars.
***Why is Kino every man’s enemy?
***Of what “luxuries” does Kino dream?
***Why doesn’t Kino recognize the priest’s
song of evil?
 Chapter Three, cont.
***How does the doctor prove that Kino is
trapped without an education?
***How do the priest and doctor prove
themselves to be evil men?
• “Luck, you see, brings bitter friends.”
• ***What bitter friends does luck bring Kino
and Juana?
 Chapter Three, cont.
• Note how Kino
changes throughout
the book.
 Chapter Four
• Mexican Indians believed they were meant
to remain in their birthplace.
• This was reinforced by priests.
• Note that Kino’s strength comes from
Juana.
• Kino defies “the whole way of life”
***How do the people react?
Chapter Four, cont.
• Steinbeck never
identifies either the
intruder or the
attacker.
***Why?
 Chapter Five
Contented Alone
Kino Family &
Man Unprotected

A Brooding “He was an

Violent
Hate animal now.”
 Chapter Six
Illusion vs. Reality
ILLUSION REALITY

Rifle Body w/slit throat

Marriage Beaten Juana

Education for Coyotito Sickened Coyotito

 Chapter Six
Return to Village
• Change in relationship
***Have they finally achieved true marriage?
“…they had gone through pain and had come
out on the other side.”
***Does this mean they will be OK?
 Chapter Six, cont.

Gray,
Pearl of the “my
ulcerous,
World misfortune”
evil
Chapter Six, cont.
• At the end of the book,
Juana and Kino are
still a family!