What Do The Animals Symbolize In The Pearl?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Steinbeck utilizes animal imagery to foreshadow Kino’s catastrophe, to illustrate Kino’s character decline, and to

symbolize the corruption of civilization

. Initially, the motif of animal imagery is used to predict the tragedy that comes to Kino.

What animals are in The Pearl?

The pearls you may wear in earrings and necklaces are the result of an irritant under the shell of a living organism. Pearls are formed by

saltwater or freshwater mollusks

—a diverse group of animals that includes oysters, mussels, clams, conchs, and gastropods.

What does the dog represent in The Pearl?

The dog represents

the poor people

because they take orders from the rich people who are above them because they are educated and they don’t defend themselves. “Kino’s hand leaped to catch it, but it fell past his fingers, fell on the baby’s shoulder, landed and struck” (Steinbeck 5).

What are the symbols in The Pearl?

  • Greed. Greed is the main evil force that the parable is meant to warn against. …
  • Dreams and Ambition. Ambition is a characteristic that is innate in human nature. …
  • Family. Kino lives in harmony with his family up until Coyotito is poisoned. …
  • Money versus Happiness. …
  • The pearl. …
  • The Scorpion.

What two animals are used to describe Kino and Juana?

Kino “

edged like a slow lizard down the smooth rock

shoulder.” After he leaves, Juana creeps to the entrance and looks out. “She peered like an owl from the hole in the mountain….” and she prays for her husband summoning spirits, too, to protect Kino against the “black unhuman things.”

What does the fish symbolize in the Pearl?

With this, Steinbeck uses

elements of sound and sight

, with the fishes’ size and their sounds of greater or less prominence, to illustrate a common and core theme in the story. The big fish are the hunters, the oppressors, and with their deliberate might easily overpower the small fish with seemingly natural discourse.

What does the ant symbolize in the Pearl?

Ants. The ants in The Pearl, are used as symbols throughout the book and are also used

to foreshadow Kino’s future

. The first time they appear in chapter one, Kino watches as an ant is entrapped in an ant lion’s trap. This symbolizes Kino’s attitude by not wanting to interfere nature.

Which animal gives us costly pearls?

Pearls may also be found and culturedin freshwater mollusks and are often produced by species collectively called “

pearl mussels

.” Other pearl-producing animals include abalones, conchs, pen shells,and whelks..

Are oysters killed for pearls?

So, the simple answer of whether pearl farms kill the oyster is..

yes

. The end goal of a pearl farm is to breed the mollusks, produce the pearl and ultimately kill the oyster. The mussel meat is then eaten and the shell is repurposed into mother of pearl inlay and other decorative accessories.

How much is a pearl worth?

The value of a pearl can vary dramatically depending on many factors, such as its type, size, color, surface quality, and more. A wild pearl will be worth more than a cultured pearl. However, on average, a pearl’s value ranges from

$300 to $1500

.

What is the spiritual meaning of a pearl?

What is the spiritual meaning of pearls? Pearls

represent wisdom gained through experience

. The gems of the sea are believed to offer protection to the wearer, as well as attract good luck and wealth. Moreover, pearls speak of the wearer’s purity and integrity.

What do pearls represent in the Bible?

Matthew is using a variety of similes for

the kingdom of heaven

…a pearl is a perfect simile because a fine pearl is a valuable treasure that needs no polishing or cutting by man. It comes to us complete and lustrous created by God through nature, as is the kingdom of heaven, which only God could create and perfect.

Why is The Pearl evil?

If the pearl in the final lines of the novel is described as being “grey and ulcerous,” and evil, this is only

because it has been made evil by the greed of man

. In a sense, the pearl therefore acts as a mirror of the men that yearn for it.

Why does Kino offer the pearl to Juana?

Juana tells Kino that

the pearl is evil and will destroy them

. She tells him to throw it away or break it, for it will destroy them. Kino says that the pearl is their one chance, and that the next morning they will sell the pearl.

What two animals similes are used to describe Kino and Juana on page 84?

Animal similes are used to describe Kino and Juana.

What qualities does a woman have the pearl?

The qualities of a woman are

reason, caution, and a sense of preservation

. Kino depends on his wife Juana to be the cool-headed one. In the Song of the Family, she is the main note.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.