John Steinbeck Symbolism

Another author who has written great classics is John Steinbeck. John Steinbeck is known for his symbolism and social inequalities with his unique writing style. One example of his unique style is symbolism. Symbolism is the use of symbols used to represent ideas or qualities. In the novella, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, he uses symbolism to emphasize the topic of social issues. For example in chapter 2, when Kino went out into the sea to search for pearls, he saw a pearl in the ocean gleaming at him as if it was meant for him. It states, “It was the greatest pearl in the world...In the surface of the pearl he could see dreams form. He picked the pearl from the dying flesh and held it in his palm, and he turned it over and saw that its curve was perfect.”(19). This passage

Ultimately the reader learns to not give up, for Kino did not give up his whole life and found a grand pearl. As long as you have hope, good things will happen. Another piece of Steinbeck's unique style is how he shows social inequalities. Social inequality is having unequal opportunities and rewards for different positions or races. In the same book, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, he focuses on poor working class characters, who allow the reader to further understand the social inequalities seen in society. For example in chapter 1, when Kino and Juana’s baby, Coyotito, gets stung by a scorpion they try to get medical care as soon as possible. Knowing the closest doctor would not come to their house, they instead went to the doctor. (SPP) The doctor, who is racist, thinks people like Kino’s race are like animals. (CX) The doctor says, “Have I nothing better to do than cure insect bites for little Indians? I am a doctor, not a veterinary”(11). This passage shows social inequalities because the doctor believes that the Indians are animals because of how much money they have and how they