AN INTRODUCTION TO “THE PEARL”BY JOHN STEINBECK

Proverbs, Parables and the 5 P’s

Proverb

A proverb (from the Latin proverbium) is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity.

Proverbs often include the following:alliteration (Forgive and forget)parallelism (Nothing ventured, nothing gained)rhyme (When the cat is away, the mice will play)ellipsis (Once bitten, twice shy)

Examples of Proverbs

A chain is no stronger than its weakest link.

A fool and his money are soon parted. 

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Parable

A parable is a brief, succinct story, in prose or verse, that illustrates a moral or religious lesson.

A parable is one of the simplest of narratives. It sketches a setting, describes an action, and

shows the results. It often involves a character facing a moral

dilemma, or making a questionable decision and then suffering the consequences.

The 5 P’s: The Elements of Fiction

PointPeoplePlotPlacePerspective

Edgar Allan Poe is the father of the 5 P’s.

He wrote one of the first pieces of literary criticism.

The 5 P’s in Novels

Novels, on the other hand, develop all of the 5 P’s.

Novels are longer and allow more time to fully develop people, plot lines, places, point, and perspective.

Consider this as we begin to read “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck.