Kino's canoe not only represents his family and their tribal way of living but is also a source of food. Without the canoe, Kino cannot feed his family or make a living, which is why in Kino's seaside village a man's canoe is his most prized possession.
How is the canoe valuable to Kino and his family?
Kino's Canoe Symbol Analysis
Passed down through three generations, the canoe
symbolizes for Kino the tradition and culture of his ancestors
. Its importance to him demonstrates how much Kino values both his ancestry and the ability to provide for his family.
What did Kino do to provide for his family?
When Juan Tomás asks Kino what he will do with his wealth, Kino details his plans:
a proper marriage in the church, new clothing for the family, a harpoon, and a rifle
, among other things.
What special object does Kino find?
Kino dives for oysters from his canoe, hoping to find
a pearl
he can sell to pay the doctor. He finds a very large oyster which yields an immense pearl, and which he dubs “The Pearl of the World”. The news that Kino has found an immense pearl travels swiftly through the town of La Paz.
How does Kino know that his pearl is valuable?
Why is Kino more convinced than ever that the pearl is of great value? He is convinced that the pearl is of great value
because people would not be trying to steal it if it was valueless
. Steinbeck says Kino was being moved by “some animal thing.” What does he mean by this?
What is the first thing that Juana does when she wakes up?
Juana is a very devoted and protective wife, who cooks the family's meals, including
breakfast
. Because she cooks breakfast, she wakes up earlier than Kino to prepare the meal for the entire family.
Why was Kino reluctant to open the great oyster?
“Because they were disturbed, the oysters were tightly closed.” (p. 19) Why was Kino reluctant to open the “great oyster?”
He didn't want the oyster to hurt his hand.
Who is Kino afraid of?
Kino is
afraid the Gods
will see his success he got on his own and take revenge on him for not giving back.
Did Kino beat his wife?
Kino loses his self-respect as a husband
by beating Juana
, his integrity as a law-abiding citizen by killing his attacker, his birthright in the form of the destroyed canoe, and his home, burned to the ground by an arsonist.
What awakens Kino from his sleep?
What awakens him from his sleep? He means that
Kino is being driven by instinct inside of him
. He knows that people are after him and his pearl so he is hyper, aware, and ready to defend. Steinbeck says Kino was being moved by “some animal thing.” What does he mean by this?
How long can Kino stay underwater?
How long could Kino hold his breath?
Four minutes
.
What is the Song of evil the pearl?
The townspeople turn against Kino as greed takes over, and everyone wants the valuable pearl. Kino hears the Song of Evil, and it becomes a metaphor, a comparison, to the scorpion that stings Coyotito. The Song of Evil is
the symbol of the family's destruction and the pain that follows the bite of the scorpion
.
What did Kino find?
Lesson Summary
Kino finds
a very large oyster
apart from the others that excites them. When they open it, they find a perfectly shaped silver pearl as big as a ‘sea-gull's egg'. When Juana removes the seaweed, she finds that it has pulled the poison out of Coyotito's body.
What happens after Kino refuses to sell his pearl in town?
What happens after Kino refuses to sell his pearl in town?
He and Juana have a fight. Juan Thomas tells him to hide. Kino gets attacked again.
Who went with Kino to sell the pearl?
The following people went with Kino to sell the pearl…
Juana, Juan Thomas, Coyotito
, All the neighbors and townspeople. 2.
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.
