The Pearl Symbolism

It is amazing how one object can change so much in a person’s life especially in the case of Kino, a poor pearl diver who lives in La Paz, from the book The Pearl by John Steinbeck. Everything from the emotions and feelings of a person are greatly impacted by such a small thing. The pearl is a great representation of how something that can only appear as a beacon of hope can be eventually molded into a much sadder object full of darkness and despair. The pearl also symbolizes the burdens of wealth and prosperity. The symbolism of the pearl is an interesting take on how a person can change so quickly to good from evil. When Kino first finds this pearl of the world he instantly imagines all the things he could do with this new wealth. “And to Kino the secret melody of the maybe pearl broke clear and beautiful, rich and warm and lovely, glowing and gloating and triumphant.In the surface of the great pearl he could see dream forms.” p. 26

When Kino firsts finds the pearl he is overcome with joy and surprise and instantly sees dreams of wealth. He imagines his life of poverty gone and sees his son learning how to read and draw, breaking the mold of poverty that has plagued his people since the white men came. “And in the incandescence of

First when Juana tries to sneak out to throw away the pearl because she feels it brings evil wherever it goes. Kino finds out and “He struck her in the face with his clenched fist and she fell among the boulders, and he kicked her in the side.”pg. 76 Kino at the time however felt no remorse for his actions and this is when you can really see the pearl takes its dark effect. In these final chapters you can also see how the pearl has molded Kino into a changed man who is obsessed with the pearl "This pearl has become my soul," said Kino. "If I give it up I shall lose my soul.” pg. 87 This quote shows that Kino’s entire life is the