John Steinbeck Thesis

The Pearl

Everybody wants something of beauty, but in this story something beautiful tears a family apart. John Steinbeck, the famous American author, wrote the novela The Pearl. Kino was a poor man who was very pleased with his life, he practically had everything he wanted. As we walk with Kino in this story we will find out that one thing will change his entire life. Throughout the novel, what Kino views as important in life changes as he learns to cope with his inner demons. At the beginning of the story, Kino values his family and his boat. “But Kinoo beat and stamped the enemy until it was only a fragment and a moist place in the dirt.” (Steinbeck,6). This shows that he cares about his family because once Coyotito was stung he became furious and protective. Kino will go through all costs to protect his family. “Now he came to the canoe and touched the bow tenderly as he always did.” (Steinbeck,15). Kino cares for his canoe because it was passed down from his father after Kino’s grandfather gave it to him. It is very important to him from being passed down, it is one thing of value in his life at the time. Kino views many things as important in life but once he finds the pearl his values change.

“He struck her in the face with his clenched fist and she fell among the boulders, and he kicked her in the side.” (Steinbeck,59). Kino was willing to Juana when she was about to throw the pearl back into the sea. The greed and evil from the pearl has taken over him by this point. “Our son must go to school. He must break out of the pot that holds us in.” (Steinbeck,38-39). The indians were seen as animals to the people of the town. If Coyotito went to school the people might look at the people of his kind differently. After the greed and evil takes over Kino he starts to feel guilty and angry at