1. Introductory Notes on…
The Pearl
…by John Steinbeck

2. John Steinbeck Introducing you to…
“It has always seemed strange to me... The things we admire in men – kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling – are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest – sharpness, greed, meanness, egotism and self-interest – are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first, they love the produce of the second.”
Born = February 27, 1902
Attended Stanford University
Famous works:
The Grapes of Wrath
East of Eden
Of Mice and Men
Nobel Prize (Literature) – 1962
Pulitzer Prize (Fiction) – 1940
Died = December 20, 1968
What qualities do you think are most associated with success?
Are these qualities we admire or we detest?
What examples can you think of to support your answer? Think of movies, television shows, books, etc.

3. Let’s watch a book trailer…

4. The Tortoise and The Hare
Parable
parable (n.) = a short story designed to illustrate or teach some truth or moral lesson
fable (n.) = a short story designed to illustrate or teach some truth or moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
The Tortoise and The Hare

5. Conflict Man vs. Man  characters against
each other (e.g. robbery, romance)
Man vs. Society  man against man-made institution (e.g. bullying, slavery)
Man vs. Nature  man against animal
or force of nature (e.g. wolf, tornado)
(Man vs. Technology)  man against science or technology (e.g. Frankenstein)

6. Setting = time and place
cultural and historical contexts
Desert climate
75-90 degrees
Minimal rainfall
300 sunny days/year
Ocean ecosystems
Eco-tourism
Diverse/unique species
Industries
Pearls
Fishing
Silver mining

7. Setting: Cultural Native culture Uneducated Poor Speak “old language”
Religious
Musical
Physical
Speak “old language”
Community oriented
Close
Involved
Communicate
Cultural Differences
“This doctor was of a race which for nearly four hundred years had beaten and starved and robbed and despised Kino’s race, and frightened it too…” (pg. 9)
“They came to the place where the brush houses stopped and the city stone and plaster began, the city of harsh outer walls and inner cool gardens…” (pg. 8)

8. What potential conflicts do you foresee?
Predicting Conflict
You know the basic plot of the story.
And, now you know about the cultural differences.
What potential conflicts do you foresee?

9. Characterization Kino Protagonist Occupation = pearl diver
(n.) the leading character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work
Protagonist
Occupation = pearl diver
Impoverished; poor
Uneducated
Strong
Personality Traits:
Ignorant
Stubborn
Gullible
Goal = better life for his son
Break free from oppression

10. Characterization Juana Kino’s wife Submits to Kino Occupation = mother
Personality Traits:
Intuitive
Loyal
Patient
Kind
Inner strength
Religious

11. Characterization Coyotito Kino’s and Juana’s son First child
6 months old
Stung by scorpion
Dependent on parents
Helpless
Difficulty breathing
Seizures
Paralysis
Cramps
Muscle spasms
Irregular heartbeat

12. Characterization Juan Tomás Kino’s brother Advisor Counselor
Family loyalty
Personality Traits:
Sympathetic
Helpful
Wise

13. Characterization Doctor Town doctor Educated Wealthy
Works for the rich
Disregards the poor
LIAR
Coyotito’s misdiagnosis
Personality Traits:
Greedy
Materialistic
Untrustworthy
Prejudice
Non-religious

14. Characterization Priest Town priest Wealthy (wealthier than natives)
Educated
Religious guide
Anti-priest
Moral corruption
Uses church for own gain
Greedy

15. Characterization Pearl Buyers All work for one CHEATERS!
Want to cheat Kino
Personality Traits:
Greedy
Evil
Deceitful
Full of trickery
Power over natives

16. Symbolism EVIL GOOD PEACE LOVE
Symbolism (n.) = the usage of symbols to signify ideas or qualities; granting a deeper or more significant meaning to a symbol
Symbols = objects, actions, events, or words
Different meanings depending on the context
EVIL
GOOD
PEACE
LOVE

17. “Song of the Pearl That Might Be”
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing (n.) = words, phrases, and hints
that indicate future plot development
Mentally prepares the reader for what will happen
Different meanings depending on the context
“Song of the Family”
“Song of the Pearl That Might Be”
“Song of Evil”
“…but dying in the place of someone you love seems like a good way to go.”

18. Irony
Irony (n.) = a figure of speech in which the intended meaning of words or actions is different than the literal meaning
Dramatic irony (n.) = when the audience is aware of something
that a character is not aware of
Example: Selection of Katniss for tribute in The Hunger Games
Situational irony (n.) = when the result of an action is contrary
to the intended or expected result
Example: Posting a video on YouTube about hating YouTube
Verbal irony (n.) = when one says something but doesn’t mean it
Example: “Oh, great! Now you broke my phone and my computer.”