Major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck. Analyzing Themes & Symbolism in The Pearl 2022-10-14

Major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck Rating: 7,8/10 1632 reviews

The Pearl, a novella written by John Steinbeck, explores several major themes that are relevant to human experience. These themes include the corrupting influence of greed, the destructive power of violence, and the struggle to overcome poverty and social inequality.

One of the main themes of The Pearl is the corrupting influence of greed. This theme is exemplified by the character of Kino, who becomes obsessed with the pearl that he finds and becomes determined to sell it for a high price. As Kino becomes more and more fixated on the pearl, he becomes increasingly selfish and ruthless, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goal. The pearl becomes a symbol of Kino's greed and his desire to improve his social status and provide for his family. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the pearl is not worth the price that Kino ultimately pays for it, as he loses his family and his sense of identity in his pursuit of wealth.

Another major theme in The Pearl is the destructive power of violence. This theme is depicted through the characters of the pearl buyers and the trackers, who use force and intimidation to try to get the pearl from Kino. The pearl buyers, in particular, are depicted as ruthless and greedy, willing to do whatever it takes to get the pearl at a low price. The trackers, on the other hand, are portrayed as violent and cruel, using their power and authority to hunt down Kino and his family. The violence that takes place in The Pearl serves to underscore the destructive consequences of greed and the corrupting influence of wealth.

Finally, The Pearl explores the theme of the struggle to overcome poverty and social inequality. Kino and his family are poor and marginalized members of their community, and their status is a major obstacle to their happiness and success. The pearl represents the possibility of a better life for Kino and his family, but it also becomes a source of conflict and suffering. The story ultimately suggests that the struggle to overcome poverty and social inequality is a difficult and often futile endeavor, and that those who are able to overcome these challenges often do so at great cost.

In conclusion, The Pearl by John Steinbeck is a powerful and thought-provoking novella that explores several major themes relevant to human experience. These themes include the corrupting influence of greed, the destructive power of violence, and the struggle to overcome poverty and social inequality. Through its exploration of these themes, The Pearl offers a poignant and insightful commentary on the human condition.

A Theme Of Greed In The Pearl By John Steinbeck: [Essay Example], 1339 words GradesFixer

major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck

He collects it and surfaces. Chapter 5 At night, Juana sneaks out in the dark and tries to get rid of the pearl, but Kino catches her and takes back the pearl, striking her. Once Kino decides to pursue a fair price for the pearl, we witness the transformation of his identity. While preparing to flee, Kino finds his canoe has been broken by vandals. The doctor refused the payment and sent his servant to tell Kino and Juana that he had gone out on an emergent case. She wakes in the night and steals away with Kino's pearl. Kino finds a pearl and is overcome with greed, but Juana sees the pearl as evil.

Next

The Pearl by John Steinbeck Plot Summary

major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck

Behind them, their house is burning. There is no market for such things. Kino, used to fighting at this point, battles the man off, but cuts the man's throat and kills him. Furious that Juana would betray him in such a way, he hits her and when she falls, he kicks her as well. He has a wife named Juana and an infant son, Coyotito.

Next

The Pearl Themes

major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck

Juana tries to throw the pearl into the ocean, but Kino follows her, rips the pearl away from her, and beats her to the ground. Kino is infuriated, and vows to go to the capital the next day and sell the pearl there. Nature of Dreams In essence, Of Mice and Men is as much a story about the nature of human dreams and aspirations and the forces that work against them as it is the story of two men. When Juan Tomas asks Kino what he will do as a rich man, he responds that he and Juana will be married in a church, that they will have new clothes, that he will have a rifle, and that his son will receive an education. At market, Kino refuses to sell the pearl to merchants who have already conspired against him and are trying to rip him off. Coyotito will get an education. He succumbs to greed and commits violent acts to protect his pearl.

Next

What are the main themes in The Pearl?

major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck

In his writings, readers receive an idea of what life was like in the 1930s; during the period of the depression. They will never be able to return to their old life. When he beats her, she does not get angry but instead, accepts that he might kill her. Introduction Much like The Pearl, Of Mice and Men is a parable that tries to explain what it means to be human. For a moment, Kino argues that he was acting in self-defense, but Juana wisely points out that it will not matter to the authorities. Meanwhile, Juana slowly and painfully gets to her feet and cleans the blood off of her face with the salty ocean water. To continue, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, the author shows how sudden fortune can bring out the worst in everyone.

Next

Theme Of The Pearl By John Steinbeck

major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck

His greed caused his undoing, the unraveling of his family, the death of his baby, the destruction of his home, and the sorrow of his loving wife. Kino decides he and Juana will head north to sell the pearl. Beneath her, under the water, Kino discovers the largest oyster he's ever seen. Kino prevails over the trackers, killing them all, but his obsession with the pearl ends only when he realizes Coyotito has died, the innocent victim of a rifle shot. Kino accuses the dealer of cheating him, so the dealer instructs Kino to ask around for other appraisals, which are even worse than the first. His house and canoe are destroyed and his child is killed. They hide for the next day before setting out for the capital at night.

Next

Themes in John Steinbeck's The Pearl. I need to know the most important ones.

major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck

Juana tries to get rid of the pearl; however, he wants to sell it. Essentially, man is a very small part of a very large universe; in the greater scheme of things, individuals come and go and leave very little, lasting mark. At the beginning of the novella, Coyotito is stung by a scorpion, and the family seeks help from the doctor, but Kino has no money, so the doctor refuses to see them. . Juana mumbles a protection spell, and Kino tries to catch the scorpion, but it falls into the basket and stings the baby.

Next

What is the theme of The Pearl by John Steinbeck?

major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck

The European world, as personified by the pearl buyers, will never accept him. However, it quickly becomes apparent that it will bring nothing but suffering to Kino and his family. A pearl that seems so pure, so innocent that it seems as if nothing evil can come from it. It seems all the greed and evil surfaces in the presence of wealth. So begins the struggle for Kino and his family. Analysis of The Pearl The Pearl is a parable or a story with a strong central moral.

Next

The Pearl: Themes

major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck

She begins the mourning ceremony for Kino, Juana, and Coyotito when their house burns down. At the end of Chapter 4, someone breaks into the house and Kino fights them off. The moral lesson of The Pearl is that the love of money is the root of evil. On the most obvious level, we see this isolation when the ranch hands go into town on Saturday night to ease their loneliness with alcohol and women. After finding the pearl, his dreams of the future include buying a rifle, a weapon that gives a man power. Steinbeck depicts the natural world as a realm that mirrors or parallels the human world.

Next

The Pearl by John Steinbeck: Ch 5

major themes in the pearl by john steinbeck

As Juana recovers from Kino's strike, she makes her way back up the beach toward Kino and the man he's just killed. Kino becomes consumed with the idea of his potential wealth, and he loses everything. It was the reason Kino got the pearl and, eventually, the reason why he threw it back into the ocean. Juana and Coyotito go with him. As the family tries to escape persecution because of others' greed for the pearl , their infant son is killed. However, it is fate that lends us the thematic idea that our lives are not controlled by chance, but rather by a predetermined fate. A major symbol that is carried throughout the story are the songs heard by Kino as he senses a certain feeling or instinct.

Next