1. By John Steinbeck

2. John Steinbeck 3. John Steinbeck was asocial activist. He became the voice of the poor andthe oppressed, people who had no one to speak for them. 4. is a 5. Parable :A brief story, usually withhuman characters, that is told to teach a lesson. 6. Steinbeck wrote: If this story is aparable, perhaps everyone takes his ownmeaning from it and reads his own lifeinto it. In other words, The Pearl will meansomething different to each of you. 7. The symbolic meaning of the story maydiffer from reader to reader.The story is more than just a plot (thishappened and this and then this).The reader needs to understand thatthere is meaning below the surface ofthe story. 8. Steinbeck and the Parable Steinbeck hinted that The Pearlis both symbolic and literal. In other words, the story can be about the struggles of the poor orhow sudden wealth can changeeverything for any family. It is can also be seen as simply the story about one family. 9. History In the 16th century the Spanish landed inMexico and overthrew the Aztecs. The Spaniards enslaved the native people ofthe area. Today, these people are not slaves but theymake up the underclass of Mexican society. The descendants of the Spanish conquerorsare still richer and more powerful than therest of the population. They make up theruling class of Mexico. 10. Social Classes of Mexican Culture The doctor, the priest, and the pearl buyers are all ofSpanish descent (upper class). Kino and his family practice the Catholic religion, butstill hold onto their belief in the pagan gods. The upper class looks down on the poor native peoplebecause of their beliefs, their race, and their poverty. 11. Characters and Objects The characters are also symbols used to showmeaning and teach a lesson. Kino Juana Coyotito the doctor the pearl-buyers the priest 12. Themes Good versus Evil The most prominent theme in the parable of the pearl isthat of the struggle between good and evil. In parableseverything is generally black and white. Characters arealmost always one thing or Throughout the story thesongs that Kino hears in his head tells him on aninstinctual level the true nature of someone or something (think of Peter Parkers spider-sense). person truenature. Thus, the song of evil accompanies the Priestwho treats the Indians like children and the doctor whoregards them as animals. 13. Themes Good versus Evil(continued) The song of the family accompanies the life-sustaining morning activities and later on as thefamily flees from their pursuers. To Kinoanything that threatens the family is evil. Thusthe song of evil can also accompany naturalthings like the scorpion which stings Coyotito.The pearl, also a product of nature, is neverclearly defined as inherently good or evil. Ratherits effect upon the family is shown to be evilonce it has proven to be a treacherous holder ofKinos dreams.. 14. Themes Poverty versus WealthThe pearls immediate and lasting effect uponKino is to cause him to dream of better things forhimself and for his family. Although the pearlattracts attackers and pursuers, Kino isdetermined that it shall be the means by whichhis family rises above their station and, mostimportantly, his son achieves an education. 15. Themes Poverty versus WealthIn this way the story is a political one. The storyshows and draws moral conclusions about thedifferences between early nineteenth centuryMexicos poor, characterized by the sympatheticcharacters such as Kino and Juana and thecountrys rich portrayed using unsympatheticcharacters like the doctor. 16. Themes FamilyAlthough Kino begins the story with the song ofthe family running through his head, he is soonsidetracked by the desires generated by thepearl. Though these desires are for things thatKino believes will make the family stronger arifle, a marriage, education It is Juana whostruggles to maintain the family as it once was. 17. Themes FamilySignificantly, it is Juana who first suggestsdestroying the peal between two stones andactually attempts to free her family of itsinfluence by throwing it back into the sea. Sherealizes that the family would have no meaningwithout Kino and give in to his desire to sell thepearl in the city.. 18. Themes FamilyJust as the family is what drives Kinos desires, sodoes the sense of family bind Juana to his sidewhen she refuses to part with him during theirflight into the mountains. Once Coyotito hasbeen killed, however, the family has ceased toexist and Kino can see that the pearl, contrary tohis initial belief, has brought nothing but badfortune. 19. Themes FortuneThe operations of chance and the effort to tellgood luck from bad luck in an underlying themein the story. The pearl itself is the byproduct of achance grain of sand embedding in an oyster. 20. Themes FortuneAdditionally, Kinos finding of the pearl isdepicted as the lucky moment of collusion ofbeing in the right place at the right time with theright need. The luck that that the pearl bringsKinos family, however, is revealed to be bad luckwhen his attempt to sell it at a fair price leads tothe death of his only son. 21. Other Themes The struggle for survival is shown in two different ways: The struggle of the poor to survive The conflict between good and evil 22. Other Themes Free will vs. determination (everything is fixedand you cant change it) Oppression by the rich and powerful on thepoor. How wealth and possessions can corrupt people The relationship of human beings to nature 23. Characters and Objects The Pearl At first the pearl is a wonderful thing. It represents an escape from poverty and a chance for the Indians to eventually become free of the domination of the Spanish. It is wonderful luck, an accident, something sent by God. Eventually, the pearl begins to corrupt everyone it touches, even seemingly innocent people such as Kino. He begins to think more about the pearl than about his family. Almost everyone seeing the pearl falls under its spell and will do anything to get it. 24. Characters and Objects The Pearl Eventually, the pearl begins to corrupt everyone ittouches, even seemingly innocent people such asKino. He begins to think more about the pearlthan about his family. Almost everyone seeing thepearl falls under its spell and will do anything toget it. Think of the ring in Lord of the Rings 25. Setting Steinbeck believed that there was a bondbetween man and the land in which he lives,that each is somehow special to the other. 26. Setting Mi tierra concept - my land The Indians believed the place of their birth tobe important and believed that they shouldremain in their birthplace. 27. Chapter 1 Setting: Before finding the pearl, Kino and his family living in harmony with nature Songs and what they mean (the Song of the Family, the Song of Evil, etc.) 28. Chapter 1 Imagery of music and songs, harmony and peace Story begins at dawning of a new day 29. Chapter 1 Songs can show the world at peace or out of control. Kino is living the way he is supposed to do. Kino and Juana have a harmonious relationship The man is clearly the head of the family. 30. Chapter 1 Struggle for survival (life is a constant one) Complication intruder the scorpion Kino reacts; emotional (smashing the scorpion) Juana thinks and uses logic (draws out the poison,takes the baby to the doctor, etc.) 31. Chapter 1 Doctor will only treat the baby if he is paid. He refusesthe first time when he sees that Kino has only the poorseed pearls. The servant tells Kino the doctor has gone. 32. Chapter 2 Kino must find a way to pay for medical treatment sohe goes diving for pearls. Juana uses traditional ways to fight the poison (first,sucking the poison out; later making a seaweedpoultice) Song of the Pearl That Might Be Kino finds a huge pearl 33. The Pearl of the WorldChapter 3 Now that Kino has the pearl, people treat himdifferently The priest, the doctor and the pearl buyers allmake plans because of the pearl. All seemmotivated by greed. Later, Juana tells Kino the pearl is evil and willdestroy them, but Kino says the pearl is the keyto the familys future and a symbol of hope for allof his people. 34. Chapter 3can get married in the church. Kinos dreams With the pearl, the baby can be cured. Kino and Juana They can all buy new clothes. Kino can buy a rifle. 35. Chapter 3 Coyotito can get an education and all Kinos people:My son will make numbers, and these things willmake us free because he will know and through himwe will know." After the doctors visit, Kino hides the pearl. Thedoctor tricks Kino into showing where it is. 36. Chapter 3 That night, someone tries to steal the pearl. Kinoattacks the person with his knife. Juana tells Kino the pearl is evil and to throw it away. Kino says the pearl is there one chance and he will sellit the next day. 37. Chapter 4 Everyone in La Paz knows that Kino is going to sell thepearl that day. Some say he will give it to the Pope or buy Masses forthe souls of his family for a thousand years. Others say he will give the money to the poor. Everyone worries that the pearl will destroy Kino andhis family. 38. Chapter 4 The peoples plans for charity are opposite of whatKino plans for his family. Good and charitable ideas are easier when it issomeone elses money being spent. Kino and Juana have hard decisions to make, notmatter what they do. 39. Juan Tomas (Kinos brother) warns him to getChapter 4the best price for the pearl. Once the Indians hired an agent to negotiatefor them and take the pearls to Mexico City,but the agents were never seen again. Somesay they were stolen by the agents; othersthink that the agents were murdered and thepearls stolen from them. In any event, thepearls are never seen again. The priest tells the Indians that this is awarning from God not to try and changetheir place in the world. 40. Pearl buyer tells Kino the pearl is like fools gold:Chapter not valuable too large and 4 He is offered 1,000 pesos; Kino says it is worth50,000 pesos. The buyer seems to be trying to cheat Kino. Kino can feel evil around him as the other buyersinspect the pearl. 41. The pearl dealer, like the priest and theChapterto4 doctor, tries manipulate Kino. He tries to cheat Kino out of his money. No other pearl dealer will pay more. By refusing to sell the pearl, Kino is taking onthe entire power structure of his society. Thiscould be very dangerous. 42. Chapter 4 Kino says he will go to the capital (Mexico City) to sell the pearl. The townspeople argue about whether Kinoshould have taken the money. Kino buries the pearl again and is angry andterrified. Juan Tomas says that Kino is challenging thepeople in power. He could change everything. 43. Chapter 4 Juan Tomas says his friends will only protect himif he is not in danger. They will not do anythingto jeopardize their own safety. That night, Kino is attacked again when he triesto protect the pearl. Juana says the pearl is evil and must bedestroyed. Kino says he is a man and will not becheated by anyone. 44. Chapter 4 Kino is willing to fight for the pearl. Kino is demanding just and respectfultreatment. Juana is the voice of reason. She warns Kinoabout what could happen. She thinks the pearl isevil. Finding the pearl should have meant securityand prosperity. Instead, it seems to offer onlypain and danger. 45. Chapter 5 Juana takes the pearl and goes to throw it in theocean. Kino stops her and punches and kicks her. Kino says he is a man; Juana knows this meansthat he is half insane and half a god. 46. Chapter 5 Kino is again attacked by strangers and kills oneof them. He loses the pearl in the fight but Juana finds itlater. 47. Chapter 5 Kino knows that they must run away from thevillage to save their lives. Kino finds that someone has put a hole in hiscanoe. To Kino this is worse than killing a man because a canoe does not have sons who can seek revenge. Kino does not even think of stealing another canoe, which would mean starvation for the other canoes owner. 48. Chapter 5 Juana tells him that their hut has been searched andset on fire. Kino hides at his brothers house. His brother lets himstay but only reluctantly. His brother says that the pearl is the cause of all thetrouble. 49. Chapter 5 Juan Tomas says that perhaps Kino shouldhave sold the pearl, but now it is too late. Kino says that to give up the pearl would bethe same thing as giving up his soul. Kino says that he will head north in themorning and head to the capital, MexicoCity. Kino finds that he is willing to kill to keepthe pearl. Juana begins to realize that Kino cannot winand may end up destroying himself. 50. Chapter 6 While on the journey, Kino finds himself bothexcited and afraid. Kino tells Juana that anyone who finds them willtake the pearl. 51. Chapter 6 Juana wonders if maybe the pearl really wasworthless, but Kino says no one would be tryingso hard to steal a worthless pearl. Kino again imagines all of the things he will dowith the pearl if he sells it, but everything hesees in the pearl now seems evil and twisted. 52. Chapter 6 They are being followed by three trackers, one on horse with a rifle. Kino and Juana realize they will be killed if theyare found. Kino realizes he must kill the man on horsebackand get his rifle. Kino tells Juana to take the baby and leave himbut she refuses. 53. Chapter 6 Juana hides in a cave with Coyotito. Kino takes off his white clothing so he can beless visible. The family is being hunted like animals. Kinoespecially becomes like an animal. Juana retains her human qualities. 54. Chapter 6 Kino kills all three attackers, but the baby is alsokilled. When Kino and Juana return to La Paz, hethrows the pearl back into the sea. When he does this, he throws away his painalong with his dreams of wealth. 55. Many song writers wereinspired by the artists readingof the classic work 56. Some of the songs inspired byThe Pearl"Colored People" Dc talk"Colors of the Wind" Vanessa Williams"Half-Breed"Cher"How Can I Keep from Eva CassidySinging""I am Woman" Helen Reddy"I Got a Name"Jim Croce"I Write the Songs"Barry Manilow"Reach"Gloria Estafan"Songs"Joan Armatrading"Sunshine on My Shoulders"John Denver"To Have and Not to Hold" Madonna