ThePearlGuide

ThePearlbyJohnSteinbeck

BelowaretheEssentialQuestions,ThemeTopics(Motifs),ThematicQuestions,andKeyLiteraryTermsthatwewilluseforouranalysisofThePearl.Thesequestions,themetopics,andtermswillguideourdiscussionandanalysisduringthisunit,soitisimportantforyoutobefamiliarwiththem asyouread.Usethisoverviewtohelpguideyourannotationsandreadthroughthebackgroundinformationbeforeyoureadthenovel.EssentialQuestions

Howdoesparabletranscendtimeandplacetoemployauniversaltheme?Whatmakesathemeuniversal?Whyaresymbolsusefultowritersandtheiraudience?Howcanwritingbeusedtoeffectchangeinsociety?

ThemeTopics(Motifs)from ThePearlDuringyourreadingandannotatingofThePearllookforandmarkpassagesthatmakeapointorstatementaboutthesepossiblethemetopics:_Money,Possessions,Greed:Lookforpassages/quotesdealingwiththequestformoneyandthedesireforthingsofthematerialworld,aswellasreferencestothestepswhichpeoplewilltaketoattainthosethings.Also,lookforpassages/quotesthatimplythatmoneycanbuyhappiness._SocialOppression:Lookforpassages/quotesdealingwiththeoppressionoftheMexicanIndiansintheportrayalofthedoctor,thepriest,thepearlbuyers,andthetrackers.WatchfordetailswhichshowhowKinoandhispeoplearetreateddisrespectfully,takenadvantageof,anddiscriminatedagainst._Manasapartofnature:Lookforpassages/quoteswhichillustratesimilaritiesbetweenhumansandotherspeciesthroughcomparisons.NOTICEthefrequentimagesSteinbeckusesandthinkofhowthesepassagesreflectorforeshadow(givehintsaboutfutureevents)HUMANevents._Kino’ssongs:Lookforpassages/quoteswithreferencestothe“music”Kinohears––thethreetypesofsongshehearsandtheirsignificance.PayparticularattentiontoWHENandUNDERWHATCIRCUMSTANCEShe“hears”aparticularsong._Goodvs.Evil:Lookforpassages/quotesthatreflectimagesandideasofdarknesslight,good-evil,brightness-dimness,day-night,black-white,etc._Appearancevs.Reality:Lookforpassages/quotesthatrefertothingsnotbeingwhattheyseem.Considerlookingforpassages/quotesaboutvisions,haze,mirages,dreams,vagueness,ghostlygleams,illusions,etc.ThematicQuestions

Howdoesoppressionmanifestinboththecommunityandindividual?Howcansociety’swrongsberighted?Howmuchcontroldoesanindividualhaveoverhis/her“success”inlife?Howcanwedetermineifsomethingorsomeoneiswhatorwhotheyappearto

be?Canmoneyordesirechangeanindividual?Ismoneynecessarytobe“successful”inlife?Whatisthedifferencebetweengoodandevil?Arethereanyshadesofgray?

HonorsEnglishIThePearl*RememberthataLiteraryThemeis_thecontrollingideaofastory_anarguablecommentorstatementanauthormakesaboutthenatureofhumankindorsociety_atruththatcanbetakenfrom thespecificsofthestoryandappliedtosocietyingeneral_somehumantruththattheauthorwantsthereadertounderstandaboutlife,thehumanexperience,orhumannatureKeyLiteraryTerms:theme,motif,characterization,conflict,symbolism,parable,allegory,setting,metaphor,simile,personification,figurativelanguage,imagery,Freytag’sPlotPyramidThePearl–BackgroundInformationAuthor:JohnSteinbeck(1902-1968)wasborninSalinas,

Californiathesonofpoorparents.AlthoughhewaseducatedatStanfordUniversityandbecameacelebratedwriter,heneverforgothisorigins.Growingupinworkingclasstowns,hebecameanexcellentobserverofhumannatureandlaterwroteaboutthepeoplehelivedaround––workersincludingMexican-Americanandmigrantworkers.Hediscoveredtheharshrealitythatthesepeoplewereoftentreatedpoorlyandwithoutrespectandhadlittlemeansofdefendingthemselves.Asaresult,manyofthecharactershewroteaboutweredownandout,isolatedandoppressed.Theyrepresentthe“struggle”themeofhisnovels––principallythestrugglebetweenthepoorandthewealthy,theweakandthestrong,goodandevil,andbetweenculturesorcivilizations.ThesethemesareallevidentinThePearl.Origins:In1940,SteinbecksetoutonasailingexpeditiontostudymarinelifeintheGulfofCalifornia,hopingtofinduniversalpatternsinmarinespeciesthatwouldhelphim understandlifeingeneral.Duringthistrip,Steinbeckheardaboutthelegendofa

Mexicanfisherboywhohadfoundanenormouspearlthathadbroughthim muchmisery.SteinbeckdevelopedthislegendintothenovelThePearl.AsyoureadThePearl,watchfordetailsabouttheplantandanimallifeintheGulfandthemanymetaphors(comparisons),imagesandthemesSteinbeckuseswhichareconnectedtothesedetails.Setting:TheeventsofThePearltakeplacesometimearoundthe1900onanestuary(mouthoftheriver)somewhereonthecoastofMexicointhetownofLaPaz.Onamapthelongpeninsulawhichdescendsfrom CaliforniaiscalledBAJACALIFORNIA.ItispartofMexicoandisseparatedfrom therestofMexicobytheGulfofCalifornia,alsoknownastheSeaofCortez.HonorsEnglishIThePearlHistoricalBackgroundandSocialCulture:Atthetimethestorytakesplace,theIndiansofMexicohadalreadybeenunderthedominationofpeopleofSpanishdescentfor300years.ThegoverningclasswasprimarilymadeupofthoseofSpanishdescentandtheRomanCatholicChurchwho,together,kepttheMexicanIndiansatthebottom ofthesocialhierarchyorsocialladder.Inmostcases,theIndianswerenotallowedtoattendschoolorownland.(Keepingpeopleuneducatedanddependentkeepsthem oppressed).AlthoughSpanishcultureandCatholicritualswereforcedupontheIndians,theyfiercelyheldontomanyoftheirspiritualbeliefs,cultures,andcustomsoftheirvarioustribes.WATCHFOREVIDENCEOFTHISINTHENOVEL!Style:ThePearlisashortnovelornovellawhichistoldintheform ofanallegoryorPARABLE––ashort,simpleworkwithlittledialogueillustratingalessonoralargertruthoftenonthesubjectofgoodandevil.InaPARABLE,goodandevilareclearlydefined––everythingisblackandwhite,therearenoshadesofgray.Forinstance,thegoodcharactershavenames,andthebadcharactershavenonames.Thecharactersandactionsymbolizecertainuniversalideasorconceptsandthereadersattachtheirownmeaningtothesesymbols.PointofView:ThePearlistoldbyanallknowingOMNISCIENTthird-personnarratorwhoisobservingthecharactersandtheiractionsfrom outsidethestory.Comment:Thereaderistoldinthepreface,“Inthetowntheytellthestoryofthegreatpearl––howitwasfoundandhowitwaslostagain…Ifthisstoryisaparable,perhapseveryonetakeshisownmeaningfrom itandreadshisownlifeintoit.”ThusbeginsSteinbeck’snovelofgoodandevil,ThePearl.ItisthetimelesstaleoftheMexican-IndianfishermanKino,hiswifeJuana,andtheirinfantson,Coyotito.IttellsofhowKinofindsthePearloftheWorldanddreamsofbreakingoutofthetrapofpovertyandignorancethatoppresseshim andhisfamily.Theviolencethatfollowshisdreams,butbringshim agreaterunderstandingofhimselfandtherealitiesoftheworldinwhichhelives.Asyouread,considerwhatmeaningyoutakefrom Kino’sstory.OtherWell-KnownNovelsBySteinbeck:TortillaFlat(1935)TheRedPony(1937)OfMiceandMen(1937)TheGrapesofWrath(1939)CanneryRow(1945)EastofEden(1952)TheWinterofOurDiscontent(1961)

TravelsWithCharley(1962)HonorsEnglishIThePearlThePearl–LiteratureGuideAsyoureadThePearl,completethefollowingquestions.Thesequestionswillhelpyourememberandreflectonimportantplotandliteraryelements/techniquesfrom thereading,sothatyouranalysisismorein-depth.Thestoryissimple,butbecauseitisanallegory,thereisdeepermeaningateveryturn.Readbetweenthelinesandanalyzecharacters,setting,imagery,symbols,etc.ThePearlisashortnovellaandreadingitseveraltimesbeforethestartoftheschoolyearwillofferyouamorein-depthunderstanding.Chapter1(pg.3-13)

1.   Wheredoesthestoryopen? 

ThestoryopensinKino’shut,locatedonthebeach.ThebeachisontheGulfofMexico,butthisinformationisnotrevealeduntilChapter2.

2.   Whoarethemaincharactersintroducedatthebeginningofthischapter?

Kino,hiswife,Juana,andhisinfantson,Coyotito

3.   WheredoesCoyotitosleep?

Inahangingbox

4.   WhatdidKino’s“people”do?

Theyweremakersofgreatsongs. Everythingtheysaw,thought,did,heardorexperiencedbecameasong.

5.   WhatistheSongoftheFamily?

Thesoundsofthefamilywaking–JuanatalkingtoCoyotito,Juanafanningthefireintoflames,andtherhythm ofthegrindingstonethatJuanausedtoworkthecornformorningcakes.

6.   WhatkindofmorningdidKinothinkitwas?

“Itwasamorninglikeothermorningsandyetperfectamongmornings.”

7.   WhatistheWhole?

ItisthesafetyandwarmthprovidedbythefamiliarroutinesofKino’sfamily.

8.   HowisKinodescribed?

“Kinowasyoungandstrongandhisblackhairhungoverhisbrownforehead. Hiseyeswerewarm andfierceandbrightandhismustachewasthinandcoarse.”

9.   WhatdrawsKino’sattentiontoCoyotito’shangingbox?

Atinymovement–ascorpionwasclimbingdowntheropethatsuspendedthebox.

10. WhatistheSongofEvil? WhatbringstheSongofEvil?

“TheSongofEvilisthemusicoftheenemy,ofanyfoeofthefamily,asavage,secretdangerousmelody….”ThescorpionbringstheSongofEvil.

11. WhatcontradictiondoesJuanadisplaywhenthescorpionappears?

Sherepeatsanancientmagictoguardagainstevil,whilemutteringaHailMarybetweenclenchedteeth. ItisthecontradictionbetweenpaganandChristianreligiousrituals.

12. Whatharm comestoCoyotito? WhyisKinounabletostopit?

Kinoreachesforthescorpionandwhenitposestosting,Coyotitoshakestheropetothebox,andthescorpionfallsonthebabyandstingshim.

13. WhatdoesKinodotothescorpion?

Hebeatsandstampsituntilitisonlyamoistplaceinthedirt.

14. HowdoesJuanareacttoCoyotito’sinjury?

Sheimmediatelybeginstosuckthepoisonfrom thepuncturewound.

15. Whatisthedangerofthescorpion’ssting?

Thepoisonfrom thestingmaymakeanadultgravelyill,butitcouldcausedeathinababy.

16. WhatsurprisingthingdidJuanarequestafterCoyotitowasstung? Whywasitsurprising?

SheaskedKinotogogetthedoctor. Itwassurprisingbecause“Togethim wouldbearemarkablething. Thedoctornevercametotheclusterofbrushhouses.”

17. WhatdoesKinodoaboutJuana’srequest? HowdoesJuanarespond?

KinotellsJuana,“Thedoctorwouldnotcome.” JuanatellsKinotheywillgotothedoctor.

18. What“skill”didthebeggarshave?

Theywereexpertsin“financialanalysis.” Thatis,theywereabletodeterminepeople’sstatusofwealthorpovertybyobservingthem.

19. WhatdidthebeggarsdecideaboutKinoandJuana?

Theydecidedthattheyweretoopoor,andthedoctorwouldnotseethem.

20. Whatdidthebeggarsknowaboutthedoctor?

“Theyknewhisignorance,hiscruelty,hisavarice,hisappetites,hissins.”

21. WhydoesKinohesitatewhentheyreachthedoctor’sresidence?

BecausethedoctorwasofaracewhichfornearlyfourhundredyearshadbeatenandstarvedandrobbedanddespisedKino’srace;allofthedoctor’sracespoketoallofKino’sraceasthoughtheyweresimpleanimals.

22. Whataresomeindicationsthatthedoctorleadsawealthylifestyle?

Hewearsadressinggownofsilkfrom Paris. Thegownistight,whichmeanshe’seatingwellandgainingweight. Hehasasilvertraywithdelicatechinaonit. Thedécoroftheroom indicatesawealthylifestyleaswell.

23. WhenthedoctorlearnsofCoyotito’sinjury,whatishisreaction? WhatdoesthisindicateabouthisattitudetowardKino’srace?

Hereactswithanger,thenhereactswithgreed. Hesays,“HaveInothingbettertodothancureinsectbitesfor‘littleIndians’? Iam adoctor,notaveterinary.” Thenhedemands,“Hasheanymoney?…Seeifhehasanymoney!” ThedoctorbelievesKino’speopleareanimals,andtheyareworthlessunlesstheycanpayforhisservices.

24. WhenKinoofferspearlsaspaymentsforthedoctor’sservice,whathappens?

Thedoctor’sservantisgoneforashortmoment,andthenhereturnstotellKino,“Thedoctorhasgoneout. Hewascalledtoaseriouscase.”

25. Whatisironicabouttheservant’scommentstoKino?

Thedoctorhasnotreallygoneout,andtheservant’schoiceofwordsisironic. Whatcouldbeamore“seriouscase”thanapoisonedchild?

26. HowdoesKinoreacttothedoctor’sbehaviortowardhisfamily?

Hestrikesthegatewithhisfist.

Chapter2

1.       WhatdopeopleoftheGulftrust?

“…thingsofthespiritandthingsoftheimagination,buttheydonottrusttheireyestoshowthem distanceorclearoutlineoranyopticalexactness.”

2.   WhatistheonethingofvalueKinoowns? Whyisitsovaluable?

Hiscanoe;“itisthebulwarkagainststarvation.” Itishismeansofincomeandkeepinghisfamilyfedandsheltered.

3.   HowdoesJuanatreatCoyotito’sscorpionsting?

Shemakesapoulticeoutofbrownseaweedandpressesittothebaby’sswollenshoulder.

4.   Doesherremedywork?

Theremedyis“asgoodaremedyasanyandprobablybetterthanthedoctorcouldhavedone. Buttheremedylackedhisauthoritybecauseitwassimpleanddidn’tcostanything.” Theremedymightwork,butJuanaisskepticalbecauseadoctordidn’tapplyit. Asyet,Coyotitohadn’texperiencedthestomachcrampstypicalforscorpionpoisoning,soherremedymightbeworking.

5.   ForwhatdoesJuanapray?

Shedidn’tpraydirectlyforCoyotito’srecovery. ShepraysforKinotofindapearllargeenoughtopaythedoctorforhisservicestocurethebaby.

6.   Whatisthe“accident”thathappenstooysters?

Asmallgrainofsandgetsinthefoldsofmuscleandirritatesthefleshuntilinself-protectionthefleshcoatsthegrainofsand. Thecoatedgrainofsandbecomesapearl.

7.   AboutwhathadKino’speoplemadesongs?

Everythingthathappenedorexisted;theymadesongstothefishes,totheseainangerorincalm,tothelightanddark,tothesunandmoon.

8.   WhatsongwasinKinoasheheldhisbreathunderwater?

TheSongofthePearlThatMightBe,partoftheSongoftheUndersea

9.   HowlongcanKinoholdhisbreathunderwater?

Overtwominutes

10. WhatattractsKino’sattentiontotheancientoysterthatlyingbyitself?

Aghostlygleam

11. WhyisKinoreluctanttoopen“the”oysteruntilhe’sopenedalltheotheroysters?

Hedoesn’tdaretohopethattheoystercontainsapearl. Theghostlygleam hesawcouldhavebeenanillusion,orareflectionoftheshell. Hispeople,thepeopleoftheGulfareusedtodisappointment,andthispearloffershope.

12. WhatdoesJuanatellKinotodowith“the”oyster?

Shetellshim toopenit.

13. WhathasKinofoundintheoyster?

Hehasfound“thegreatestpearlintheworld.”

14. WhatdoKinoandJuanadiscoverrightaftertheydiscoverthepearl?

TheyfindthattheseaweedpoulticehastakentheswellingoutofCoyotito’sshoulder,andthepoisonwasrecedingfrom hisbody.

Chapter3

1.   Throughoutthenovel,therearevarioustypesofanimalimagery. Whatischaracterizedasananimalatthebeginningofthischapter? Whenisthisimageryfirstusedinthenovel?

“Thetownisathinglikeacolonialanimal.” Theimagetheauthorgivesdemonstrateshowthetownspeople“digest”thenewsofKino’sdiscovery. TheanimalimageryisfirstusedwhenKino’speoplearecharacterizedasanimalsbythedoctorinChapter1.

2.   AsthenewsofKino’sprizetravelsthroughthevillage,wholearnsofthe“PearloftheWorld”?

Thepriest,theshopkeepers,thedoctor,andthebeggarsinfrontofthechurch

3.   Whatisthedoctor’sreactiontothenewsofKino’spearl?

HesaysthatKinoisaclientofhis,andheistreatingCoyotitoforascorpionsting.

4.   Whatdoesthedoctor’sreactiontoKino’sgoodfortunerevealabouthischaracter?   

Itemphasizeshisgreediness. Hewouldn’thaveanythingtodowithKinoorhisfamilywhentheycametohim forhelpwhenCoyotitowasinjured,becauseheknewtheycouldn’tpayforhisservices. NowthatheknowsaboutKino’spearl,he’swillingtotreatCoyotito.

5.   HowdopeoplereacttothenewsofKino’spearl? Whatdoesthenewsofthe

pearlstirupinthetown?

“EverymansuddenlybecamerelatedtoKino’spearl,andKino’spearlwentintothedreams,thespeculations,theschemes,theplans,thefutures,thewishes,theneeds,thelusts,thehungers,ofeveryone,andonlyonepersonstoodinthewayandthatwasKino,sothathebecamecuriouslyeveryman’senemy.” Thepearlstirsupsomethingblackandevilinthetown–thepoisonsacsofthetownbegantofillwithvenom. PeoplebecameimmediatelyenviousofKino’sgoodfortune,andtriedtofigureoutawaytogetthepearlforthemselves.

6.   Whatcommentonhumannaturedoestheauthormakewiththevillagers’response?

Peoplearebasicallygreedy. Evenpeoplewhoareusedtohavingnothingandarehappycanbechangedbythepossibilityofwealth.

7.   WhatdoKinoandJuanaassumeaboutthevillager’sresponsetoKino’sprize?

Theyassumethateveryonewouldbehappyfortheirgoodfortune.

8.   WhatmusicdoesKinoexperienceafterfindingthepearl?

“Themusicofthepearlhadmergedwiththemusicofthefamilysothatonebeautifiedtheother.” Thepearlissomethinggoodforthefamily.

9.   WhatdoesJuanTomasaskKinoabouthisdiscovery? WhatisKino’sresponse?

JuanTomasasks,“Whatwillyoudonowthatyouhavebecomearichman?” KinotellsJuanTomasthatheandJuanawillbemarriedinthechurch,theywillhavenewclothes,hemightbuyarifle,andCoyotitowillgotoschool.

10. WhydoestheideaofKino’ssonattendingschoolcausesuchastiramongthevillagers?

Kinosays,“…thesethingswillmakeusfreebecausehewillknow–andthroughhimwewillknow.” Kino’speoplehadbeenoppressedforhundredsofyears,andonereasonthatthisoppressioncontinuedisbecausetheyareilliterateanduneducated. ThepossibilityofCoyotitobecomingeducatedcreateshope.

11. Whathappenstotimeasaresultofthepearl?

Timewillbemeasuredbasedonthepearl. Everythingwillbeintermsofhappeningbeforeorsincethediscoveryofthepearl.

12. WhocomestovisitKino? Why?

ThepriestcomestovisitKino. Heremindshim tobegeneroustothechurchwithhisnewfoundfortune.

13. Howisthepriestliketherestofthevillageinhisrequest?

Hewantstobenefitfrom Kino’sdiscoveryofthepearl.

14. WhatfaintsongdoesKinohearwhenthepriestvisits? Whatdoesthismean?

Kinobeginstohearthesongofevil,oftheenemy. Kinoknows,perhapsonlyonasubconsciouslevel,thatpeoplewanttogetthepearlawayfrom him.

15. WhatanimalimageryisusedfortheSongoftheFamilyinthischapter? Whydoyouthinktheauthorusesthisimage?

TheSongoftheFamilyischaracterizedaslikethepurringofakitten. ThisimageconveysthewarmthandsecurityKinofeelswithinhisfamily. Akittenonlypurrswhenitfeelssafeandiscontentorhappy.

16. Shortlyafterthepriestandtheneighborsleave,Kinosensesdanger. Whoappearsatthistime?

Thedoctorappearswithtwoassistants.

17. WhatliedoesthedoctortellKinoandJuana?

“Iwasnotinwhenyoucamethismorning. Butnow,atthefirstchance,Ihavecometoseethebaby.” Ofcourse,hewashomewhentheyvisitedthatmorning,andhehasonlycomeafterhearingaboutKino’spearl.

18. EventhoughCoyotitoappearstoberecoveringfrom thescorpion’ssting,howdoesthedoctormakeKinoandJuanabelievehisservicesarestillnecessary?

Hetellsthem thatascorpion’spoisoncanlaydormant,andthencauseseriousdamagesuchasablindeyeorwitheredleg. HetellsKino,“Iknowthestingofascorpion,myfriend,andIcancureit.” HetellsKinothatthepoisonhas“goneinwardanditwillstrike”Coyotitosoon. OnesignofthisisCoyotitoblueeyelid.

19. Whatremedydoesthedoctorgivethebaby? WhatsuspiciondoesKinohaveaboutthisremedy?

ThedoctorgivesCoyotitoagelatincapsuleofwhitepowder,andsaysthatifthepoisonisgoingtostrike,itwilldosowithinthehour. Duringthathour,Coyotitobeginstoconvulseandvomit. Thedoctorreturnsandtreatshim withafewdropsofammoniadilutedinwater. Thebaby’sspasmssubsideanditappearsthedoctorhascuredhim from thepoison. KinobelievesthatthecapsulescontainedsomethingthatcausedCoyotito’sconvulsions,andthedoctorwasonlytryingtogetsomeofKino’smoneyfrom thepearl.

20. WhatquestiondoesthedoctoraskwhenheisdonetreatingCoyotito? WhatofferdoeshemaketoKino?

Heaskswhenpaymentwillbemadeforhisservices. Kinotellshim aboutthepearl(aboutwhichthedoctoralreadyknew,ofcourse),andpromisestopaythedoctorafterhehassoldit. ThedoctorofferstokeepKino’spearlinhissafe. Kinorefusestheofferandsaysthepearlissafe.

21. Whatdidthedoctorhopetorevealwithhisoffer? Isthisinformationrevealed?

“Heknewthepearlwouldbeburiedinthehouse,andhethoughtKinomightlooktowardtheplacewhereitwasburied.” Yes,theinformationisrevealedwhen“Kino’seyesflickinvoluntarilytothefloornearthesidepostofthebrushhut.”

22. Aftereveryonehasleftthehut,JuanaasksKino,“Whodoyoufear?” Whatishisresponse?

Kinosayshefearseveryone.

23. Whiletheyaresleepingthatnight,whathappensinKinoandJuana’shut?

Kinoawakensandhears“thewhisperofafootondryearthandthescratchoffingersinthesoil.” Anintrudercomes,andquietlytriestodigupthepearl.

24. Istheintrudersuccessful?

No,Kinoattackshim inthedarkandtriestostabhim. Kino’sheadissmashedinthescuffleandtheintruderescapes.

25. Whoisthemostlikelypersontohavesenttheintruder? Howdoyouknow?

Thedoctorsenttheintruder. Itmusthavebeenthedoctor,becausetheintrudertriestodigintheplacewhereKinoglancedwhenthedoctoraskedhim ifthepearlwassafe.

26. HowisKinocharacterizedduringthefight?

Heis“likeanangrycat,leapedstrikingandspittingforthedarkthing….” Again,theauthorusesanimalimageryfordescription.

27. WhatisJuana’sresponsetothestranger’sintrusionandattackonherhusband?

Shecries,“Thisthingisevil. Thispearlislikeasin! Itwilldestroyus. Sheasksherhusbandtothrowthepearlbackintotheseaandsays,“Ithasbroughtevil. Kino,myhusband,itwilldestroyus.”

28. WhatstatementdoesJuanamakethatservesasforeshadowing?

“Itwilldestroyusall. Evenourson.”

29. WhatpromisedoesKinomaketoJuanaaboutthepearl? Howisthepearl

describedattheendofthechapter?

Kinopromisesthattheywillsellthepearlandtheevilwillgowithit,andonlythegoodwillstay. Thepearlisa“guaranteeofthefuture,ofcomfort,ofsecurity. Itswarm lucencepromisedapoulticeagainstillnessandawallagainstinsult. Itclosedadooronhunger.”

Chapter4

1.        Whatisthenameofthetownthat“keepstrackofitselfandofallitsunits”? Whatdoesthismean?

LaPaz. Itmeansthateveryoneinthissmalltownknowseveryoneelse’sbusiness.

2.   Whatdidthepearlbuyersknow?

TheyalreadyknewthatKinowascomingtosellhispearlthatday.

3.   Whatsuppositionismadeaboutthepearlbuyers? Whatisactuallythecase? Whenarethepearlbuyershappy?

Itissupposedthatthepearlbuyersactaloneandcompeteagainstoneanotherforbusiness. Inactuality,onemajorbuyeremploysthem all. The“bestandhappiestpearlbuyerwashewhoboughtforthelowestprice.”

4.   WhatdotheneighborshopeforKino?

Theyhopethatthepearldoesnotdestroyhim andhisfamily. Theydon’twantwealthtochangeKino,theyhopedthatwealthwouldnotgraftontohim theevillimbsofgreedandhatredandcoldness.

5.   WhatwasexpectedoftheneighborswhenKinogoestotowntosellhispearl?

Itwasexpectedthattheywouldjoinhim –“itwasanhistoricmoment,theywouldbecrazyiftheydidn’tgo. Itwouldbealmostasignofunfriendship.”

6.   WhatdoesJuanTomaswarnKinoagainstasheleavestosellthepearl? Whyishiswarningironic?

JuanTomastellsKino,“Youmustbecarefultoseetheydonotcheatyou.” Thisisironicbecause,inthenextlineJuanTomasadmits,“Wedonotknowwhatpricesarepaidinotherplaces.” Sincetheydonotknowwhatthepearl’smarketvalueis,theycannotknowiftheyarebeingcheated.

7.   WhydidKino’sancestorsgiveuptryingtogetbetterpricesfortheirpearlsinthecapital?

Becausewhentheysenttheirpearlsmentosellthem ontheirbehalf,themenwoulddisappearwiththeirpearlsandtheywouldendupwithnothing.

8.   WhydoesKinobelievethatsellingthepearlatthecapitalisagainstreligion? Whatisreallytrueaboutthisbelief?

Becausethepriesthassaidso–thepriestgivesayearlysermonabouthoweachmanorwomanisasoldiersentbyGodtoguardhisownpartoftheuniverse. Eachpersonissupposedtoremainfaithfulandnotgorunningabout. Themenwhotriedtoselltheirpearlsatthecapitalwere“runningabout”andnotguardingtheirpost,andthatiswhytheylosttheirpearls. Thebeliefisbasedinblindfaith. Kinobelievesthepriestbecausehewasraisedtodoso,butinreality,thepriestiscontributingtotheoppressionofKino’speoplebyperpetuatingthisbelief.

9.   WhatsigndoesthepearlbuyergiveofhisastonishmentatKino’spearl?

HegivesnovisualsignorfacialexpressionthatKinocandistinguish,butunderthedesk,thepearlbuyerdropsacoinhehasbeenturningbetweenhisknuckles.

10. Whatisthepearlbuyer’sinitialappraisalofthepearl? Whatofferdoeshemake?

ThepearlbuyertellsKinothatthepearlistoolargetosell,becausethereisnomarketforsuchthings. HetellsKinoitislikefool’sgold,anditisonlyacuriosity. ThepearlbuyeroffersKino1,000pesosforthepearl.

11. DoesKinoaccepttheoffer? WhatdoesKinobelievethepearlisworth?

No. Kinoaccusesthebuyeroftryingtocheathim. Kinothinksthepearlisworth50,000pesos.

12. HowdoestheauthorcharacterizethefeelingsKinohaswhiledealingwiththepearlbuyer?

Theanimalimageryisusedagain. Kino“feltthecreepingoffate,thecirclingofwolves,thehoverofvultures. Hefelttheevilcoagulatingabouthim,andhewashelplesstoprotecthimself.”

13. Howdoesthepearlbuyer“prove”hisoriginalofferwasfair? HowdoyouknowhewasreallytryingtocheatKino?

Theotherpearlbuyerssupporttheideathatthepearlisvalueless,buttheyprobablyarrangedthisaheadofKino’sarrival,sothattheycouldgetthegreatpearlfortheleastamountofmoney. ThepearlbuyerrevealshimselfwhenheisreluctanttoletKinoleavewithhis“worthless”pearl,andhemakesanotherofferof1,500pesos.

14. Whatdotheneighborssayaboutthepearlbuyers’businessdealingswithKino? Whyisthisironic?

TheneighborsbelievethepearlbuyersmusthavebeentruthfulwithKinobecausetheyeachdeterminedthepearltobevalueless. WhenKinooffersthetheorythattheycouldhavearrangedthecollusionbeforehisarrival,theysay,“Ifthatisso,then

allofushavebeencheatedallofourlives.” Thatcommentisironicbecause,infact,thesepeoplehavebeencheatedalloftheirlives.

15. Withwhatproblem regardingthepearlisKinonowconfronted?

Sincehehasdefiedthepearlbuyers,hehasnowaytosellthepearllocally.

16. WhatdothelessfearfulneighborssayaboutKino’sactionswiththepearlbuyers?

Theysaid,“Kinoisabraveman,andafierceman;heisright. From hiscouragewemayallprofit.” TheyrealizethatKino’sconfrontationwiththepearlbuyersmayleadtofairerdealingsinthefuture.

17. Whosaid,“Wedoknowthatwearecheatedfrom birthtotheoverchargeonourcoffins”? Whatdoeshemean?

JuanTomassaiditbecausethepearlbuyerscheatedKino,andtheirpeoplehavebeencheatedforgenerations.

18. WhydoesJuanTomasfearforKino?

HesaysthatKinohasnotonlydefiedthepearlbuyers,butthewholestructureofhowKino’speoplemaketheirliving. Hesays,“Youhavedefiednotthepearlbuyers,butthewholestructure,thewholewayoflife,andIam afraidforyou.”

19. Kinoisundertheimpressionthathisfriendswillprotecthim ifnecessary,butwhatdoesJuanTomastellhim?

HisfriendswillprotectKino“onlysolongastheyarenotindangerordiscomfortfrom it.”

20. WhathappensduringthenightatKinoandJuana’shut?

MoreintrudersattackKino.

21. WhatdoesJuanaaskKinoaftertheattackersaregone?

Sheaskshim,again,todestroythepearlorthrowitbackintheseabeforeitdestroysthem.

Chapter5

1.   WhatisJuanadoingatthebeginningofthechapter? Whatissheplanningtodo?

Atthebeginningthechapter,Juanaismovingaroundthehutandshemovesthefireplacestone(wherethepearlishidden). Sheisplanningtothrowthepearlbackintothesea.

2.   WhostopsJuanafrom throwingthepearl? How?

Kinostopsherbywrenchingherarm,andstrikingherintheface. Aftershefalls,hekicksherintheside.

3.   WhatdoKino’sactionsdemonstrateaboutwhatthepearlhasdonetohim?

ThepearlhasbecomeeverythingtoKino–hewouldmurderhiswiferatherthanlosethepearl.

4.   WhatanimalimageryisusedwhenKinoattacksJuana?

Kinobareshisteethand,“hissedatherlikeasnake.” Juanastaresbackathim,“likeasheepbeforethebutcher.”

5.   WhathappenstoKinoafterheattacksJuana? Why?

Whenheiswalkingupthebeach,heistackledandsearchedbyattackers. Theyaretryingtofindthepearl.

6.   WhenKinotoldJuana,“Iam aman,”whatdidthatmeantoher?

Itmeantthathewashalfinsaneandhalfgod.

7.   WhenJuanawalksbackinthedarknessafterKinoattacksher,whatthingsdoesshefind?

First,shefindsthepearlthatwasknockedfrom Kino’shandwhenhewasattacked. Thensheseestwodarkfigureslyinginthepath. OnefigureisKino;theotherisanattackerwhom Kinohaskilled.

8.   WhatdoesJuanaknowaftersheseesthatKinohaskilledaman?

Sheknowsthattheiroldlifeisgoneforever.

9.   WhenKinostartstoregainhissensesaftertheattack,whatishisfirstconcern? Whatideadoesthisemphasize(see#3)?

Hisfirstconcernisthathehaslostthepearl. Again,thepearlhasbecomeeverything–Kinoisnotsoconcernedthathehascommittedmurder,asheisthathe’slostthepearl.

10. WhydoesKinostillthinkhecanreturntothevillageandretainhisoldlife? Canhe?

Hethinkspeoplewillbelievethathestrucktosavehislife. Hecannotreturntohisoldlife–it’sgone. Juanaremindshim abouthowthepearlbuyerstreatedhim andhowsomeoftheneighborstreatedhim afterhisdefianceofthebuyers. Toomanypeopleareagainstthem nowbecauseofthepearl.

11. AfterKinodecidesthathewilltakehisfamilyandleave,whatdoeshediscover?

Hediscoversthathiscanoehasbeenvandalized,andalargeholeisknockedintothebottom.

12. WhenKinodiscovershisbrokencanoe,hethinks,“Thiswasanevilbeyondthinking. Thekillingofamanwasnotsoevilasthekillingofaboat.” Whydoeshebelievethis?

Becauseaboatcannotprotectitself,andawoundedboatdoesnotheal. Also,theboatisaman’swayofmakingaliving,andwhenhisboatisdamaged,amanhasnotprotectionagainststarvation. Thebrokencanoealsodemonstratestheevilinman. ThemeninthevillageweresoenviousofKino,theycouldnolongerallowhim tohaveanormallifeamongthem.

13. WhatthoughtneveroccurstoKinoafterhediscovershisbrokencanoe? Whatdoesthissayabouthim?

ItneveroccurstoKinototakeanotherman’scanoe. Hecannotconceiveoftreatinganothermantheywayhehasbeentreated. Thismaymeanthathestillhasashisbasichumanity. –hehasn’tlosteverythingtothepearl(yet).

14. WhathappenstoKinoandJuana’shutasthey’repreparingtoleave?

Theirhutisransackedandthensetonfire.

15. AccordingtoJuana,whoisresponsiblefordestroyingtheirhut?

“Thedarkones.” KinoandJuanadon’tknowwhoisagainstthem –theintrudersandattackerscouldbeanyone,buttheonethingKinoandJuanaknowaboutthem isthattheyareevilor“dark.”

16. TowhatdoesJuanTomasattributeKinoandJuana’smisfortune?

Heblamesthepearl. Hesays,“thereisadevilinthispearl. Youshouldhavesolditandpassedonthedevil. Perhapsyoucanstillsellitandbuypeaceforyourself.”

17. WhatrequestdoesKinomakeofhisbrother? DoesJuanTomasagree?

KinoasksJuanTomastohidehisfamily,andJuanTomasagreestodoso.

18. WhatpromisedoesKinomaketohisbrother?

Kinosays,“Iwillgotonightandthenyouwillbesafe.” Kinodoesn’twanttobeadangertohisbrotherorhisbrother’sfamily.

19. HowdoesJuanTomasaccountforthedisappearanceofKinoandhisfamily?

Hetellspeopledifferentthings. TosomehesaysKinoandJuanahavegonesouth

alongtheshoretoescapeevil. ToothershesaysKinomusthavegonebysea. TotheneighborshesaysthatifKinowenttothesea,hemusthavedrowned. HetellspeoplehiswifeisillwithgriefoverthelossofKinoandhisfamily.

20. WhatdoesKinotellJuanTomasaboutthepearl?

Kinotellshim hestillhasit,andhewillkeepit. Hesays,“Imighthavegivenitasagift,butnowitismymisfortuneandmylifeandIwillkeepit.”

21. Whycan’tKinogiveupthepearl? 

Kino’soriginalplanwhenhefoundthepearlwastoprovidemoreforhiswifeandson. Hewasunselfishinthisplan,andpossiblyhe’sstillnotwillingtogivethatup. Atthispoint,however,he’slostsomuchbecauseofthepearl,heisn’twillingtogiveitup. Hefeelsthatitmustbeworthallthathe’slost. Hesays,“Thispearlhasbecomemysoul. IfIgiveitupIshalllosemysoul.”

 

Chapter6

1.   WhatchangeoccursinKinoasheandJuanaareescaping?

Somethingancientstirsinhim,andsomeanimalqualityabouthim makeshimcautiousandwaryanddangerous.

2.   WhatmusicorsongdoesKinohearastheywalk?

Themusicofthepearlintertwinedwiththequietmelodyofthefamily.

3.   WhydoesKinobelievetheyarebeingfollowed?

Hestillbelievestheywillbetrackedforthepearl,aswellasforthemurderhecommitted.

4.   HowdoesKinoconvinceJuanathatthepearlbuyerswerewrongintheirstatementthatthepearlwasworthless?

Hetellsherthattheywouldnothavetriedtostealitifitwasworthless.

5.   WhatcontradictionsdoesKinoseeonthesurfaceofthepearl?

Hethoughtthepearlwouldallowhim tobuyarifle,butheonlyseesthemanhekilled. HethoughtthepearlwouldallowheandJuanatohaveachurchwedding,butheseeshimselfbeatinghiswifeforthepearl. Hethoughtthepearlwouldallowhimtoeducatehisson,butheseeshissonsickwithfeverfrom thedoctor’smedicine.

6.   WhathappenstothemusicofthepearlforKino?

Themusicofthepearlbecomessinister,andintertwineswiththemusicofevil.

7.   WhodoKinoandJuanaencounterastheyaretryingtoescape?

Theyarebeingfollowedbythreetrackers,twoonfootandoneonhorsebackcarryingarifle.

8.   Whatanimalimageryisusedtodescribethetrackers?

“Theywereassensitiveashounds.” Later,whenitappearsthetrackershavefoundasignofKino’strail,they“whinedalittle,likeexciteddogsonawarmingtrail.”

9.   WheredoKinoandJuanadecidetogoinanefforttoescapethetrackers?

Theytrytolosethetrackersinthemountains. Theauthorusestheanimalimageryyetagainwhenhewrites,“AndKinoranforthehighplace,asnearlyallanimalsdowhentheyarepursued.”

10. WhatdoKinoandJuanaargueaboutduringtheirescape?

KinotriestogetJuanatotakethebabyandgoinadifferentdirectionthanKino. Juanaisdeterminedandrefusestoleaveherhusband.

11. WheredoKinoandJuanagointhemountainrange?

Theytraveltowardadarkandshadowycleft. Thecleftwouldprovideasourceofwater,andiftherewereanypassagethroughthemountains,itwouldbethroughthecleft.

12. DothetrackersloseKinoandJuana’strailinthemountains?

No,theyarefarbehind,buttheyarestillontheirtrail.

13. Sincethetrackerswillfollowthem intothemountainrange,Kinodecideshisfamilywillclimbtothelowlandsagain. Whatconcerndoeshehaveaboutdoingthis?

Heisafraidthatthebabymaycry.

14. Asthetrackerscampforthenight,whatdoesKinodecide? Whenmusthecarryouthisplan?

Kinodecidestoattackthetrackersduringthenight. Ifhecangettotheonewiththeriflefirst,hewillkillhim andusehisrifletokilltheothertwotrackers. Hemustcarryouthisplanbeforethemoonrises,orthetrackerswillspothim.

15. Whatform ofprotectiondoesKinousetoambushthetrackersduringthenight?

Heremoveshiswhiteclothingbecauseitwillshowupinthemoonlight. Hisown

brownskinisbetterprotectionforhim inthedarkness.

16. WhatdrivesKinodowntowardhisenemy?

TheSongoftheFamilybecomes“asfierceandsharpandfelineasthesnarlofafemalepuma.” Again,theauthorusestheanimalimagerytodescribeKino’sfeelings.

17. Whycan’tKinocarryouthisplan?

Themoonrises.

18. Whatdothetrackershear? Whatdotheythinktheyhear?

ThetrackershearCoyotitocrying. Theythinkitisacoyoteandherlitter.

19. Whatdoesthetrackerdoaboutthesound? HowdoesKinoreact?

Thetrackerdecidestoshootinthedirectionofthesound. Kinoleapsatthetrackerandstabshim intheneck,killinghim. Heusesthebuttoftherifletosmashtheheadofaseatedtracker,andshootsthethirdtrackerwhilehe’stryingtoescape.

20. WhatdoesKinohearafterhekillsthetrackers?

“…thekeening,moaning,risinghystericalcryfrom thelittlecave…thecryofdeath.”

21. WhateventhappenedtoeveryoneinLaPaz?

ThereturnofKino’sfamilytothevillage

22. WhatisJuanacarryingwhensheandKinowalkintothevillage?

Shecarrieshershawllikeasackoverhershoulder. Initwasasmall,limpheavybundle,andtheshawliscrustedwithdriedblood. Thespecificcontentsoftheshawlarenotrevealedforanotherpageandahalf,butthebundleisthedeadbodyofCoyotito.

23. TowheredoKinoandJuanawalk?

Theywalktotheshore,totheedgeoftheGulf.

24. WhatdoesKinoseeinthesurfaceofthepearlwhenheremovesitfrom hisclothing?

Heseesevilfaces,thefranticeyesofthemanhekilled,andheseeshisinfantsonlyinginacavewitthetopofhisheadshotaway.

25. Whathappenstothepearl?

Kinothrowsitintotheoceanwithallhismightanditdisappears.

26. Whydoyousupposetheauthorusessomuchanimalimagerythroughoutthisnovel?

Perhapsitistoshowhowmenactlikeanimalswhentheybecomegreedy.

27. Whateventsforeshadowedthenovel’sconclusion?

JuanarepeatedlytoldKinothatthepearlwasevilandthepearl“woulddestroyus. Evenourson.” JuanTomastoldKinothatthepearlhadthedevilinitandheshouldgetridofit. Kinoneverreallyhadachancetohangontothepearl. TherewereothercommentsmadethroughoutthenovelaboutthepovertythatKino’speoplelivedinandwouldalwayslivein–losingthepearlwasinevitablebecausethoseinpowerwouldnevergiveuptheirpowertooneofKino’srace.

28. Whatdoesthepearlrepresentinthisnovel?

Thepearlcouldrepresentmanythings. First,itrepresentshope,becauseitallowsKinotheopportunitytoprovidethingsforhisfamilyhecouldneverhaveprovidedbeforefindingthepearl. Second,itrepresentsgreed. Thepearlchangesthepersonalitiesofeveryonewhocomesincontactwithit,andtheycanonlythinkabouthowtobenefitfrom thepearl. CharacterslikethedoctorandthepriestbehavedifferentlytowardKino’sfamilybecauseoftheiravariceforthepearl. Ofcourse,Kinoisthegreediestofall,whenheultimatelyforsakeshisfamilyinordertoprotecthispreciouspearl. Third,thepearlrepresentsevil. WhenitcausesKinotomurderfourmen,itcausesthelossofmoralityinKino.

CharacterListKino - Theprotagonistofthenovella.Kinoisadignified,hardworking,impoverished

nativewhoworksasapearldiver.Heisasimplemanwholivesinabrushhouse

withhiswife,Juana,andtheirinfantson,Coyotito,bothofwhom helovesverymuch.

AfterKinofindsagreatpearl,hebecomesincreasinglyambitiousanddesperatein

hismissiontobreakfreeoftheoppressionofhiscolonialsociety.Ultimately,Kino’s

materialambitiondriveshim toastateofanimalisticviolence,andhislifeisreduced

toabasicfightforsurvival.

.

Juana - Kino’syoungwife.Afterherprayersforgoodfortuneintheform ofagiant

pearlareanswered,Juanaslowlybecomesconvincedthatthepearlisinfactan

agentofevil.Juanapossessesasimplefaithindivinepowers,butshealsothinks

forherself.Unfortunatelyforherandherchild,Coyotito,shesubjectsherdesiresto

thoseofherdominanthusbandandallowsKinotoholdontothepearl.

Coyotito - KinoandJuana’sonlyson,whoisstungbyascorpionwhilerestingina

hammockonemorning.BecauseCoyotitoisaninfant,heishelplesstoimprovehis

situationandthusatthemercyofthosewhoprovideforhim.KinoandJuana’s

effortstosavehim byfindingabigpearlwithwhichtheycanpayadoctorproveto

domoreharm thangood.

JuanTomás - Kino’solderbrother.Deeplyloyaltohisfamily,JuanTomássupports

Kinoinallofhisendeavorsbutwarnshim ofthedangersinvolvedinpossessing

suchavaluablepearl.HeissympathetictoKinoandJuana,however,puttingthem

upwhentheyneedtohideandtellingnooneoftheirwhereabouts.

Apolonia - JuanTomás’swifeandthemotheroffourchildren.Likeherhusband,

ApoloniaissympathetictoKinoandJuana’splight,andsheagreestogivethem

shelterintheirtimeofneed.

Thedoctor - Asmall-timecolonialwhodreamsofreturningtoabourgeoisEuropean

lifestyle.ThedoctorinitiallyrefusestotreatCoyotitobutchangeshismindafter

learningthatKinohasfoundagreatpearl.Herepresentsthearrogance,

condescension,andgreedattheheartofcolonialsociety.

Thepriest - Thelocalvillagepriestostensiblyrepresentsmoralvirtueandgoodness,

butheisjustasinterestedinexploitingKino’swealthaseveryoneelse,hopingthat

hecanfindawaytopersuadeKinotogivehim someofthemoneyhewillmakefrom

thepearl.

Thedealers - Theextremelywell-organizedandcorruptpearldealersinLaPaz

systematicallycheatandexploittheIndianpearldiverswhosellthem theirgoods.

TheydesperatelylongtocheatKinooutofhispearl.

Thetrackers - ThegroupofviolentandcorruptmenthatfollowsKinoandJuana

whentheyleavethevillage,hopingtowaylayKinoandstealhispearl.