- Entertainment
- Environment
- Information Science and Technology
- Social Issues
Home Essay Samples Literature
Essay Samples on The Pearl
Imagery and character analysis in the pearl.
In the very beginning of the book, Kino watches as his son, Coyotio sleeps. While he is sleeping, Coyotito is stung by a scorpion despite Kino’s efforts to catch it and kill it. They go to the doctor to get Kino treated for the sting...
- Character Analysis
- Imagery in Literature
The Theme Of Group Behavior In The Pearl By John Steinbeck
The article is a study exploring the pattern of group activity in John The Pearl's novel. There's a major influence on other individuals from Stein show group behavior. We are the long-term basis of human life. Steinbeck's group-man theory is based on Darwinian interpretation of...
- John Steinbeck
Theme of Greed in John Steinbeck’s Novel The Pearl and Jack London's Story A Piece of Steak
In John Steinbeck’s realistic fiction novel, The Pearl, Kino drastically changes his life when he finds a pearl of great value. Local authors, Jack London and John Steinbeck, both use greed, murder, and poverty in different ways to express their themes. Greed is a theme...
John Steinbeck's The Pearl Through the Prism of New Formalism
Using the New Formalism as a lens to analyze Pearls, the reader can see that Steinbeck uses images, symbols and music to develop a theme according to which luck can lead people with good intentions to the path of evil and negative. In modern society,...
- The New Deal
John Steinbeck: Literary Works, Life and People Who Inspired Him
Recurring Ideas in Of Mice and Men, Travels With Charley, and The Pearl The Desire to Escape One recurring theme that is displayed in Of Mice and Men, Travels With Charley, and The Pearl is the desire to escape, which causes the characters to venture...
- Literature Review
Stressed out with your paper?
Consider using writing assistance:
- 100% unique papers
- 3 hrs deadline option
Best topics on The Pearl
1. Imagery And Character Analysis In The Pearl
2. The Theme Of Group Behavior In The Pearl By John Steinbeck
3. Theme of Greed in John Steinbeck’s Novel The Pearl and Jack London’s Story A Piece of Steak
4. John Steinbeck’s The Pearl Through the Prism of New Formalism
5. John Steinbeck: Literary Works, Life and People Who Inspired Him
- Hidden Intellectualism
- William Shakespeare
- A Raisin in The Sun
- Sonny's Blues
- Barn Burning
- A Rose For Emily
- A Place to Stand
- All Quiet on The Western Front
- A Lesson Before Dying
Need writing help?
You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need
*No hidden charges
100% Unique Essays
Absolutely Confidential
Money Back Guarantee
By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails
You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic
Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.
John Steinbeck’s The Pearl Essay
- To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
- As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
- As a template for you assignment
John Steinbeck’s The Pearl is a novel that was published in 1947 that retells an old Mexican tale. It is a story of a poor Indian pearl diver, named Kino who lived in La Paz with his wife, Juana, and his son Coyotito. At first, the family is seen to be contented with their lifestyle despite the challenges Kino has to face to provide a meal for his family. However, things begin to change when Coyotito is bit by a scorpion, and his parents begin to find ways to treat him.
The only doctor that is capable of treating Coyotito refuses to treat him because Kino is not able to pay for the treatment. In the pursuit for money to treat his son, Kino discovers an enormous pearl that will forever be referred to as “ the pearl of the world ”. This paper explores the greed, and evil portrayed by the indigenous Indians in John Steinbeck’s The Pearl .
As the title of the book suggests, the story is based on the enormous pearl Kino finds, and the events that took place as people tried to hunt Kino for possessing the pearl . From their way of life, it is evident that the Indians living in La Paz lead a poor lifestyle, and have accepted their role in life. Kino who is the central character in the novel owns a boat that he inherited from his father and grandfather. Other than this, he only owns the hut they live in, and a couple of clay cooking utensils.
The fact that The Pearl is seen as an object that could change ones position in life, it changes people from being idyllic to cheaters, murderers, and traitors. In the beginning, Kino and his wife, Juana are contented with the few possessions they have, but after discovering the pearl , they irreparably change; they become ambitious, greedy, and violent. Kino’s family even plans to spend the money by improving their lifestyle once they sell their fortune.
Basically, the great pearl is a tool used to bring change among the peaceful Indian people living in a foreign country. The doctor and the pearl buyers represent the hypocrisy and exploitation facing the Indians in La Paz. This is seen when the doctor heartlessly refuses to treat Coyotito just because his father could not afford it; he does not care whether the boy lives or dies, all he cares about is the money he gets from people.
On the other hand, the pearl buyers propose a very low price with the aim of exploiting Kino, once they noticed that he desperately needed the money. Using songs in literal works is a cultural tradition that is traced from Indians; in this case, Kino tends to hear songs playing in his head every time he has a strong feeling about something.
A story that started in an idyllic environment, it unfortunately ends in a violent atmosphere, where people turn against each other just for the sake of a Pearl that ends up destroying their lives. For a community that lived peaceful before the discovery of the pearl , the loss of innocence is a theme that is widely explored by the author. The believe that the pearl had the power to change ones status in the community saw many people resulting in violence in order to fulfill their ambitions. Poverty is a degrading issue facing the people of La Paz, and it is because of their desperation to improve their lifestyles that they resulted in cheating and violence.
- Mexican Identity in "The Labyrinth of Solitude" by Octavio Paz
- Mexican Literature: "The Labyrinth of Solitude" by Octavio Paz
- The Lottery by Jackson, Shirley: Idyllic Place With Beautiful Nature
- A Perfect Day for Bananafish by David Salinger
- “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins Literature Analysis
- Bartleby the Scrivener by Joan De Santis Literature Analysis
- The Dollmaker by Harriette Simpson Arnow Literature Analysis
- The Great Gatsby' by Scott Fitzgerald Literature Analysis
- Chicago (A-D)
- Chicago (N-B)
IvyPanda. (2020, May 2). John Steinbeck’s The Pearl. https://ivypanda.com/essays/john-steinbecks-the-pearl/
"John Steinbeck’s The Pearl." IvyPanda , 2 May 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/john-steinbecks-the-pearl/.
IvyPanda . (2020) 'John Steinbeck’s The Pearl'. 2 May.
IvyPanda . 2020. "John Steinbeck’s The Pearl." May 2, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/john-steinbecks-the-pearl/.
1. IvyPanda . "John Steinbeck’s The Pearl." May 2, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/john-steinbecks-the-pearl/.
Bibliography
IvyPanda . "John Steinbeck’s The Pearl." May 2, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/john-steinbecks-the-pearl/.
Introduction to The Pearl
Summary of the pearl, major themes in the pearl, major characters in the pearl, writing style of the pearl, analysis of literary devices in the pearl, related posts:, post navigation.
John Steinbeck
Ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.
Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on John Steinbeck's The Pearl . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.
The Pearl: Introduction
The pearl: plot summary, the pearl: detailed summary & analysis, the pearl: themes, the pearl: quotes, the pearl: characters, the pearl: symbols, the pearl: theme wheel, brief biography of john steinbeck.
Historical Context of The Pearl
Other books related to the pearl.
- Full Title: The Pearl
- When Written: 1944
- Where Written: California
- When Published: 1947
- Literary Period: Modernist novel
- Genre: Novella/ Parable
- Setting: La Paz, Baja California Sur
- Climax: Kino’s beating of Juana and his killing of a man in protection of the pearl
- Point of View: Third person (from the perspective of the villagers who pass down the tale through generations)
Extra Credit for The Pearl
From Kino to Kino. It is assumed that Kino was named after Eusebius Kino, a Jesuit missionary who explored the Gulf region in the 17th century.
From Film to Fiction. Steinbeck wrote The Pearl on an invitation from Emilio Fernandez, a well-known Mexican filmmaker, to write a screenplay depicting Mexican life. In consequence, The Pearl features few characters, simple and intense action, and cinematic viewpoints.
Home / Essay Samples / Literature / Books / The Pearl
The Pearl Essay Examples
The theme of greed in the pearl by john steinbeck.
When wanting spirals into destruction, a family is broken apart, shattered by a rare discovery. A pearl that seems so pure, so innocent that it seems as if nothing evil can come from it. The Pearl by John Steinbeck appears to be a story about...
Literary Analysis of the Pearl by John Steinbeck
“Steinbeck illustrates the tragic consequences of the loss of that freedom of the spirit in The Pearl, expressing a profound sympathy for the individual and the community that suffers under such an oppressive system.” (Perkins). In The Pearl, John Steinbeck describes that he feels great...
Brutal Reality and Hardship: "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck
A lot of issues of the world rotate around the wealthy. In The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, he recounts the story of a couple and their child who experience the ill effects of the outcomes of needing. Subsequent to finding 'the pearl of the world,'...
Nothing Goes as Planned: "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck
Kino and his family were appreciative of everything they had, but when Kino discovers the pearl it shapes him to become a different person. He sees the pearl as a symbol of hope and protection. It holds wealth, which drives Kino into an ambition to...
Trying to find an excellent essay sample but no results?
Don’t waste your time and get a professional writer to help!
You may also like
- The Crucible
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Animal Farm
- Fahrenheit 451
- The House on Mango Street
- The Yellow Wallpaper
- The Odyssey
- A Modest Proposal Essays
- A Separate Peace Essays
- The Road Not Taken Essays
- An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge Essays
- Beloved Essays
- Lying Essays
- Alone Together Essays
- Between The World and Me Essays
- Dubliners Essays
- The Cask of Amontillado Essays
About The Pearl
John Steinbeck
United States, Mexico
The Pearl is a novella by the American author John Steinbeck. The story, first published in 1947, follows a pearl diver, Kino, and explores man’s purpose as well as greed, defiance of societal norms, and evil. Steinbeck's inspiration was a Mexican folk tale from La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, which he had heard in a visit to the formerly pearl-rich region in 1940.
The pearl, The Scorpion, Kino’s Canoe
Nature Imagery, Kino’s Songs
Greed, Dreams and Ambition, Family, Money versus Happiness.
Kino, Juana, The doctor
samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->