The PearlThe PearlThe PearlThe Pearl

By John SteinbeckBy John SteinbeckBy John SteinbeckBy John Steinbeck

A Biographical SketchA Biographical SketchA Biographical SketchA Biographical Sketch

Born on February 27, 1902 in Salinas, CA

Attended Stanford University for 5 years but never graduated.

Became an author who wrote about people and places he knew through his own experiences.

Born on February 27, 1902 in Salinas, CA

Attended Stanford University for 5 years but never graduated.

Became an author who wrote about people and places he knew through his own experiences.

Steinbeck ContinuedSteinbeck ContinuedSteinbeck ContinuedSteinbeck Continued

He loved Mexico and the Mexican people and traveled extensively into the back country of Mexico.

In 1930, Steinbeck and his best friend, Ed Ricketts, traveled to the Sea of Cortez in Baja CA to collect sea life specimens for Ricketts’ marine laboratory in Monterey, CA, where both men lived.

He loved Mexico and the Mexican people and traveled extensively into the back country of Mexico.

In 1930, Steinbeck and his best friend, Ed Ricketts, traveled to the Sea of Cortez in Baja CA to collect sea life specimens for Ricketts’ marine laboratory in Monterey, CA, where both men lived.

Steinbeck ContinuedSteinbeck ContinuedSteinbeck ContinuedSteinbeck Continued

While he was there, the Indians told Steinbeck a story that he adapted as The Pearl.

Famous Novels: The Red Pony (1933), Tortilla Flat (1935), Of Mice and Men (1937), The Grapes of Wrath (1939), Cannery Row (1944), and The Pearl (1945).

Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 for The Winter of Our Discontent.

Died of heart disease on December 20, 1968 in New York.

While he was there, the Indians told Steinbeck a story that he adapted as The Pearl.

Famous Novels: The Red Pony (1933), Tortilla Flat (1935), Of Mice and Men (1937), The Grapes of Wrath (1939), Cannery Row (1944), and The Pearl (1945).

Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 for The Winter of Our Discontent.

Died of heart disease on December 20, 1968 in New York.

ThemeThemeThemeTheme

Message about life expressed by the author through writing.

Possible Themes of The Pearl:

Desire for material wealth can destroy happiness.

The mixing of old world and new world ideas and customs brings confusion and unhappiness.

A person who experiences prejudice may react violently.

The family unit is the most important part of human life.

Message about life expressed by the author through writing.

Possible Themes of The Pearl:

Desire for material wealth can destroy happiness.

The mixing of old world and new world ideas and customs brings confusion and unhappiness.

A person who experiences prejudice may react violently.

The family unit is the most important part of human life.

SymbolismSymbolismSymbolismSymbolism

An object that stands for an idea.

Symbol - something that is itself and yet also represents something else, like an idea.

There are two types of symbols:

1. Universal symbols that embody universally recognizable meanings wherever used, i.e. a skull to symbolize death.

2. Invested symbols that are given symbolic meaning by the way an author uses them in a literary work, i.e. the pearl in The Pearl.

An object that stands for an idea.

Symbol - something that is itself and yet also represents something else, like an idea.

There are two types of symbols:

1. Universal symbols that embody universally recognizable meanings wherever used, i.e. a skull to symbolize death.

2. Invested symbols that are given symbolic meaning by the way an author uses them in a literary work, i.e. the pearl in The Pearl.

CharacterizationCharacterizationCharacterizationCharacterization

A character is brought to life through descriptions such as appearance, personality, and behavior.

The author shows in writing:

how the character looks

what the character says

how the character acts

what the character thinks

what others say and think about the character

A character is brought to life through descriptions such as appearance, personality, and behavior.

The author shows in writing:

how the character looks

what the character says

how the character acts

what the character thinks

what others say and think about the character

Conflict Conflict Conflict Conflict

A fight or struggle

Man vs. Man - two characters fight each other

Man vs. Himself - a character struggles with two different feelings

Man vs. Society - a character struggles against the opinions of society

Man vs. Nature - a character struggles against forces of nature

A fight or struggle

Man vs. Man - two characters fight each other

Man vs. Himself - a character struggles with two different feelings

Man vs. Society - a character struggles against the opinions of society

Man vs. Nature - a character struggles against forces of nature

PlotPlotPlotPlot

The series of events that happen in a story. The series of events that happen in a story.

ParableParableParableParable

A story with a lesson or a message.A story with a lesson or a message.

MetaphorMetaphorMetaphorMetaphor

A comparison in which a word or concept is used to literally represent another word or concept.

Examples: Her hair is silk (word). Spring as a metaphor for life (concept).

A comparison in which a word or concept is used to literally represent another word or concept.

Examples: Her hair is silk (word). Spring as a metaphor for life (concept).

ForeshadowingForeshadowingForeshadowingForeshadowing

Dictionary definition: to represent, indicate, or typify beforehand.

So, foreshadowing is a hint (obvious or subliminal) that allows the reader to make predictions about future events that will occur in the text.

Example: When Juana tells Kino to get rid of the pearl because she thinks it is evil and will bring their family harm and destruction.

Dictionary definition: to represent, indicate, or typify beforehand.

So, foreshadowing is a hint (obvious or subliminal) that allows the reader to make predictions about future events that will occur in the text.

Example: When Juana tells Kino to get rid of the pearl because she thinks it is evil and will bring their family harm and destruction.

Author’s MotivationAuthor’s MotivationAuthor’s MotivationAuthor’s Motivation

Steinbeck wrote this story because he had a love for Mexico and also because he hates poverty, so he wanted a medium to express those emotions and feelings. The story is based on what he was told by people in Mexico.

Steinbeck wrote this story because he had a love for Mexico and also because he hates poverty, so he wanted a medium to express those emotions and feelings. The story is based on what he was told by people in Mexico.

SettingSettingSettingSetting

The overall setting of a narrative is the general location, historical time, and social circumstance in which its action occurs; the setting of a single scene within a work is the particular physical location where it takes place.

The overall setting of a narrative is the general location, historical time, and social circumstance in which its action occurs; the setting of a single scene within a work is the particular physical location where it takes place.

GenreGenreGenreGenre

A specific type of literature.

Examples: novel, poem, short story, play, essay, biography, tragedy, comedy, etc.

A specific type of literature.

Examples: novel, poem, short story, play, essay, biography, tragedy, comedy, etc.

ImageryImageryImageryImagery

“Mental pictures” which may be experienced by the reader.

Imagery is used to signify all the objects and qualities of sense perception referred to in a poem or other work of literature.

It also signifies descriptions of visible objects and scenes.

Imagery is seen through figurative language, especially metaphors and similes.

“Mental pictures” which may be experienced by the reader.

Imagery is used to signify all the objects and qualities of sense perception referred to in a poem or other work of literature.

It also signifies descriptions of visible objects and scenes.

Imagery is seen through figurative language, especially metaphors and similes.