The Pearl Chapter 1 March 21
Do Now – 5 Min Have you ever met a person so determined that he/she became blind to the consequences of their actions? Describe your experience with that person Or Would you ever take a stand even if it meant your entire community turning against you? Explain why or why not.
The Pearl worcesternews.co.uk
John Steinbeck worcesternews.co.uk aspiringpro.com
John Steinbeck ( ) American novelist, story writer, playwright, and essayist Received Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 Father was a bookkeeper and accountant; mother was a teacher Worked as a laboratory assistant and farm laborer to support himself while at Stanford University His stories were popular chiefly for their social consciousness and concern and for the narrative qualities displayed in the novels Passed away on December 20, 1968, in NYC Works include: Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, In Dubious Battle, and Travels with Charley
“The Pearl” by John Steinbeck A novella: is a shorter novel that tells a story with several characters and may have more than one plot, with complex levels or situations, and it presents a picture of real life. A novella includes, besides a plot and characters, setting, theme, point of view, style (forms of expression, length of sentences, choice of words by author), and tone (author’s attitude toward story).
The Genre Parable - a story that teaches a lesson Allegory - a story whose characters represent abstract ideas in order to teach a lesson
Setting of the Story La Paz, Mexico - a coastal town marked by economic, social, and racial divisions resulting from colonial domination of the local native population. Beginning of the 20 th century
Discuss Based on the geographic location of our story, what can we infer about the people of the area? Think About: How they make a living Is this a large population? Are they educated? Are they religious?
“The Pearl” by John Steinbeck III. Themes: A. Greed is a destructive force: 1. As Kino tries to gain wealth, he goes from a happy, contented man to a savage criminal. The pearl goes from a symbol of hope to a symbol of human destruction. Kino becomes detached from his cultural traditoins and his society, as will his people in their quest for wealth and equality.
“The Pearl” by John Steinbeck B. Fate and human agency shape life. 1. Fate (things of circumstance) shapes what is to become of Kino and Juana 2. Human agency (forms of greed, arrogance, ambition, and violence) facilitate outcomes and lead to conflicts.
“The Pearl” by John Steinbeck C. Society’s oppression of native cultures causes destruction. 1. European colonizers force the native Indian pearl divers and their people to submit to the new culture and ways.
Discuss We know that material greed may be a factor in The pearl. But the questions I want to ask you are this: What two items best symbolize the concept of family? Example: Jimmy says the most important symbol in his life would be headphones, because they remind him of when he performed music in New York City, and his family supported his dream. List your group findings on the whiteboard
Chapter 1 - Vocabulary pulque p.4 (n) thick fermented beverage made from the agave plant avarice p. 9 (n) extreme greed indigent p. 9 (n) poor; needy; impoverished
Silent Reading Pages: 1-12 Write down page numbers where something important occurs: When Finished: Answer the following and include page numbers as evidence to support your responses: 1.What is the Song of the Family and when does it appear? 2.Notice that the townspeople follow Kino. What does this tell you about the community? 3.What is the Song of Evil and when does it first appear? 4.Why did the doctor refuse to help Coyotito? 5.What does that tell you about the doctor’s personality?