In ”The Pearl” by John Steinbeck, the theme of
the destructive power of greed
is explored as the characters navigate their personal desires, destiny, and racism. We will explore the devastating effect of Kino’s sudden change from being poor but happy, to possibly instantly wealthy.
What are three prominent themes in The Pearl?
- Greed.
- Family.
- Wealth.
- Good vs. Evil.
- Gender.
- Primitivity.
- Man and the Natural World.
- Power.
What is the moral of the story The Pearl?
Lesson Summary
The Pearl is a parable, a moral lesson,
about gratitude and the dangers of greed
. Because parables offer a moral lesson, being grateful for the things one already has serves as the theme.
What are the most significant themes in The Pearl?
I need to know the most important ones. Themes most widely accepted of Steinbeck’s The Pearl include the
dangers of greed, corruption, pride, power, and obsession
.
What do you think is the main theme in John Steinbeck’s novella The Pearl?
One of the main themes of The Pearl is
the destructive power of greed
. Kino disregards the safety and love of his family to pursue selling the pearl he finds. When the pearl brokers offer him a poor price, Juana, his wife, tries to throw the pearl into the ocean.
What are 2 themes 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.
Is fate a theme in The Pearl?
Another theme is
fate
because fate was a major aspect to why Kino did not succeed in his dreams of having a luxurious life. When Kino discovered the Pearl he thought that it would take him out of poverty and into a life of happiness.
What does a pearl symbolizes?
What does a pearl symbolize? Pearls are the ultimate symbol for
wisdom
. Valued for their calming effects, pearls represent serenity, while being able to strengthen valuable relationships and convey a sense of safety. Pearls also symbolize purity, as well as integrity and loyalty.
Why did Kino give Juana the pearl to throw away?
Kino tells the doctor that he will pay him once he has sold his pearl. The neighbors tell the doctor that Kino has found the Pearl of the World and will be a rich man. … 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.
What lesson does Kino learn in the Pearl?
Expert Answers
The overt, moral lesson is that
“money can’t buy happiness
.” Before finding the “Pearl of the World,” Kino’s family is poor but content. Their basic needs (food, shelter) are met. Kino and Juana have a network of friends upon whom they can rely.
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.
What is a metaphor in the pearl?
“If I give it up I shall lose my soul. Go thou also with God.” An example of a metaphor from Chapter 5 of The Pearl can be found in this line: “
He was an animal now, for hiding, for attacking, and he lived only to preserve himself and his family.
” This is on page 62 of my copy, a Penguin book paperback edition.
What are the three symbols in the pearl?
In ‘The Pearl,’ author John Steinbeck uses symbolism to deliver his thoughts about fate,
greed, hope, and evil
. This lesson will review the symbolic scorpion, canoe, and pearl in this parable.
What is the summary for The Pearl?
The story, first published in 1947, follows
a pearl diver, Kino, and explores man’s purpose as well as greed, defiance of societal norms, and evil
. Steinbeck’s inspiration was a Mexican folk tale from La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, which he had heard in a visit to the formerly pearl-rich region in 1940.
Who killed Coyotito in The Pearl?
The family is forced to run after Kino kills one of his attackers. When Coyotito cries out, one of the
men who is tracking Kino
shoots towards the sound and kills Coyotito. Coyotito’s death finally convinces Kino to get rid of the evil pearl.
How is Good vs evil shown in The Pearl?
By John Steinbeck
The Pearl as a parable, and good and evil are shown in absolute, black-and-white terms.
The family is good; greed is evil. Love is good; destruction is evil
. Oppressive colonization, corrupt capitalism, and racism all go on the “evil” list… which we have to say is a tad longer than the “good” one.
