The Pearl

I. The Author

A. John SteinbeckB. 1902-1968C. Grew up on farms and

frontier of American southwest

D. Belonged to literary era known as the “realists”

E. Perceived life as dark, humanity as cruel, and God as nonexistent

II. The Setting

II. The Setting

A. La Paz, Mexico, which is part of Mexico’s smallest state: Baja California Sur.

B. Arid, warm climate with cool evening winds

C. Indigenous population assimilated centuries ago

III. The Conflict

A. Novella’s primary conflict is Kino vs. Self

B. A man of humble beginnings, the pearl becomes a catalyst for his change

C. His own greed drives his life into a spiral of destruction

IV. Themes

A. Greed is inherent to humanity, and destructive

B. The actions of mankind often imitate the “survival of the fittest” seen in nature, but we differ in our greed

C. Life often full of irony

What To Look For:

Look for scenes where the author makes a comparison between Kino and some element of nature. What is his point?

What does the pearl come to symbolize by the novel’s conclusion? How are the pearl’s origin and final destination important?

Does Kino deserve what happens to him? Why or why not?

How does the relationship between Kino and his wife evolve? What role does she play in the novel’s conclusion?