The Pearl By John Steinbeck

What is an allegory? An allegory is an extended metaphor A story where plot and characters are used to highlight aspects of human existence.

The Pearl is a parable. A parable is a brief allegory that is used to teach a moral lesson or a universal truth and deep lessons about humanity.

Ask yourself… Considering the characters and the action (plot line) in the story, what lesson or moral do you think the author tried to teach?

Symbolism in the story...

Literal Symbolic of Explanation: The Doctor greed & evil He has the bower to heal, but chooses to promote illness and ignorance. Uses his "power" for evil. Examples from the story:

Literal Symbolic of Explanation: Priest hypocrisy He is a "man of God "and should be working to teach and help the poor, but he does the opposite. He talks the talk, but doesn't walk the walk. Examples from the story:

Society’s business practices Literal Symbolic of Explanation: Pearl dealers Colonial life- Society’s business practices They play on Kino's ignorance to make a profit. Use cunning and trickery to make a profit. Examples from the story:

Examples from the story: Literal Symbolic of Explanation: Kino's dreams ambition Within the oppressed, there is a desire for more. They need courage to fight for it. They risk all when they do fight for more. Examples from the story:

She is always looking out for what is best for her family. Literal Symbolic of Explanation: Juana motherhood She is always looking out for what is best for her family. Examples from the story:

Literal Symbolic of Explanation: Coyotito Innocence The innocent are often victims at the hands of society. Society has a responsibility to keep them safe and healthy. Examples from the story:

Literal Symbolic of … Explanation: Brush Houses Lower class, ignorant & savage Different types of houses represent different social classes. Examples from the story:

Literal Symbolic of … Explanation: Stone and plaster houses Upper class, educated & refined Different types of houses represent different social classes. Examples from the story:

Kino’s inner voice, intuition, conscience Literal Symbolic of … Explanation: Music Kino’s inner voice, intuition, conscience Most of the songs are in Kino’s head. They come from his soul. They are a part of him. Often, when he “listens” to them, his life is good, when he ignores them, bad things happen. Examples from the story:

How the Symbolism of the Pearl changes...

The scorpion is a symbol of evil The scorpion is a symbol of evil. The bite of the greedy townspeople are worse than that of the real scorpion. the pearl the scorpion The pearl is a symbol of dreams, hope, desire and also materialism.

Meaning of the pearl here: Chapter & page: Quote: Meaning of the pearl here: Chapter one, pg. 701 Quote: "Eight, small, misshapen seed pearls, as ugly and gray as little ulcers, flattened and almost valueless." Symbolizes the value of the native Indian people to the larger community after colonization by Spain.

Meaning of the pearl here: Chapter & page: Quote: Meaning of the pearl here: Chapter two, pg. 705 "It captured the light and refined it and gave it back in silver incandescence …large as a seagull's egg…its curve was perfect." " But pearls were accidents and the finding of one was luck, a little pat on the back by God or the gods, or both." The giant pearl symbolizes wealth, health, and a mystical power of some kind. What does this reveal?

Meaning of the pearl here: Chapter & page: Quote: Meaning of the pearl here: Chapter 3, pg 714  Juana says, “ The pearl is like a sin! It will destroy us.” Kino says, “this is our chance…our son must go to school. He must break us out of the pot that holds us in.” Juana thinks the pearl is a threat to their family’s safety. Kino thinks the pearl is their key to rising up in the ranks of society. What does this reveal?

Meaning of the pearl here: Chapter & page: Quote: Meaning of the pearl here: Chapter 4, pg. 719  The priest tells a sermon that says, “The loss of the pearl was a punishment visited on those who tried to leave their station.”   The pearl symbolizes what might be, but those who are too ambitious will have their value stripped away and will have to return to the “old ways.”   What does this reveal?

Chapter & page: Quote: Meaning of the pearl: Chapter 4, pg 725  Juana says, “ Kino, this pearl is evil. Let us destroy it before it destroys us.” Kino says, “No, I will fight this thing. I will win over it. We will have our chance… No one shall take our good fortune from us.”   Juana sees the pearl as a powerful token of evil that threatens her family’s well being. Kino sees the pearl as a token of good luck, and if he tries hard enough they will prosper from it. What does this reveal?

The pearl can divide husband and wife. It turns good men into savages. Chapter & page: Quote: Meaning of the pearl: Chapter 5, pg. 726  Pg. 729 “Her arm was up to throw when he leaped at her and caught her arm and wrenched the pearl from her.” Juan Thomas says, “There is a devil in this pearl. You should have sold it and passed on the devil. Perhaps you can still sell it and buy peace for yourself” The pearl can divide husband and wife. It turns good men into savages.   Is the pearl a blessing from ‘God or the gods’ or an illusion. Is it really an instrument of the devil?

Meaning of the pearl here: Chapter & page: Quote: Meaning of the pearl here: Chapter 5, pg. 730   “This pearl has become my soul…if I give it up I shall lose my soul.” The pearl is the key to reach all of Kino’s dreams. In an effort to achieve these dreams, he has lost his soul to the sins of greed, murder and lust, so there is no going back now.   What does this reveal?

The pearl has now become a “cancer” on the soul of humanity. Chapter & page: Quote: Meaning of the pearl: Chapter 6, pg. 741  Kino held the great pearl in his hand. He looked into its surface and it was gray an ulcerous. Evil faces peered from it into his eyes, and he saw the light of burning. And in the surface of the pearl he saw the frantic eyes of the man in the pool. And in the surface of the pearl he saw Coyotito lying the little cave with the top of his head shot away. And the pearl was ugly; it was gray like a malignant growth. And Kino heard the music of the pearl, distorted and insane. The pearl has now become a “cancer” on the soul of humanity. It made men crazy with greed and caused them to do unthinkable evil things.  

Themes in the story...

wealth Wealth brings evil. people People are not always what they seem In human nature there always lies the dark and ugly side (greed, snobbery, deceit, betrayal etc.). human nature evil Evil can take on many forms Changes to society and social status do not come easily, but at a great cost. oppression

Wealth brings evil. Explanation Example from story

People are not always what they seem Explanation Example from story

In human nature there always lies the dark and ugly side Explanation Example from story

Evil can take on many forms Explanation Example from story

Ignorance leads to oppression, but knowledge doesn’t always result in good Explanation Example from story

The Pearl By John Steinbeck