The Pearl, by John Steinbeck

Discussion Guide: The Pearl, by John Steinbeck

Setting: Mexico, year is unclear

Point of View: third-person, omniscient

Tense: Past

Main characters: Kino, Juana, baby Coyotito

  1. In chapter one, our characters wake up before sunup in their home on the beach. The author gives us hints regarding the family’s financial situation. Name some of them: ___________________________________________________________

(they live in a brush house, sleep on a mat, Juana has hard bare feet, Coyotito sleeps in a hanging box, Juana makes corn pancakes from scratch)

  1. While Kino observes ants on the ground, he watches “with the detachment of God”. What message does the author mean to convey? ________________________________________________________________

(for Kino, God is not a personal, caring God. If he were, wouldn’t he rescue them from their troubles?)

  1. Neighbors were nearby, but they still lacked any sense of community. Kino and his wife say very little to one another. They eat the same meal every morning. Which adjectives might you use to describe the mood of the morning? _______________________________________________________________

(gloomy, sober, somber, resigned, hopeless)

Which antonyms might you use? _____________________________ (festive)

  1. Tragedy strikes when a scorpion stings the baby. How does Kino react? How does Juana react? Describe each character’s feelings and compare those with stereotypes of fathers and mothers. 

(Kino is enraged with defeat. Juana is frantic with the need to rescue. Yes, these are typical behaviors of protective fathers and nurturing mothers.)

  1. Why do they suspect that the doctor will not come to help? _____________________________________________________________

(because they were poor and insignificant people)

  1. Why do the neighbors accompany them to the doctor’s office? _____________________________________________________________

(they are nosy and want to see how this all plays out)

  1. Why does the author have a crowd gather to find out if the doctor will see the child? _______________________________________________________________

(because the author wants us to feel just how exposed this family is at their worst moment. There is a complete lack of privacy. Their tragedy is on display.)

  1. What words does the author use to describe how the doctor dehumanizes this family: ________________________________________________________________

(Little Indian, insect bites, veterinary, they never have money)

  1. The doctor sends the servant to dismiss the family who has too little to offer for his precious time. How would you describe the doctor?_________________________________________________________

(cowardly, racist, heartless, cruel, etc)

Can scorpions in Mexico kill you?

About 250,000 people in Mexico are stung by scorpions each year—more people than in any other country. Several dozen people die each year. 

Mexico’s scorpions are not as deadly as those which are found in the Middle East. There are three colors of scorpion in Mexico: black, brown, and light yellow. They can give you a very painful sting, but are rarely life-threatening unless you are very young, very old, infirm, or allergic to the venom.

Chapter 2

  1. Now that the parents have been rejected, what action do they take to care for their suffering child? _________________________________________________________________

(they go oyster diving in hopes of finding a pearl to pay for medical treatment)

  1. The author describes the Gulf as a hazy mirage. Where would we normally expect a mirage? Is this a paradox?  ______________________________________________________________________

(the desert. Yes, this could be considered a paradox)

  1. Owning his family boat is essential to Kino. Describe its significance.___________________________________________________________ (it is his heritage, his trade, and proof that he can provide for a wife). 
  1. “…a man with a boat can guarantee a woman that she will eat something.”  What is the author inviting us to consider in this statement?_____________________________________________________________ (that readers should be thankful for our first world problems. A woman will eat something in this setting, not eat her fill, not eat something delicious. Or she may very well starve.)
  1. This oyster bed raised a King to power, paid for wars, decorated churches. How? ____________________________________________________________________

(not because of the oysters, but because of the great value of the elusive pearls)

  1. Astonished, Kino finds a remarkable pearl. As he gazes on its surface, he sees dreams form. Does this cause us to think of another mysterious orb that shows us our future?
  1. The author makes mention of the live oyster. He writes that it tenses up and writhes in pain against the knife. Once the pearl is discovered, the oyster and shell are discarded as unimportant. Is this symbolic? _____________________________________________________________________

(yes, this echoes the “detachment of God” mentality, except now Kino is the god and the oyster is the subject)

  1. Kino’s reaction to his amazing discovery is a bit surprising. What emotions is the author conveying by this outburst? _____________________________________________________________________

(this is not merely a victory; it’s fierce, powerful, vengeful. He has a godly authority now.)

  1. What new discovery is made about the baby? _____________________________________________________________________

(complete healing has taken place at the same time)

Chapter 3

  1. The local priest, who can’t recall if he has performed any church ceremonies for this family, now fantasizes about ways his church could personally benefit from Kino’s fortune. How is the author depicting authority figures in this book? Are they benevolent?
  1. How does the doctor react when he hears of Kino’s fortune? ___________________________________________________________________

(he speaks with respect and care about the family, and fantasizes about his piece of the fortune)

  1. The villagers begin to ask Kino what his plans are. Describe Kino’s list of desires and how they progress: ______________________________________________________________________

(from essential items to luxury items to ambitions)

  1. Surprisingly, after Kino voices his ambitions, his euphoric mood changes. What causes this? ___________________________________________________________________

(fear of failure, paranoia that everyone will be against him in jealousy)

  1. The Priest arrives to remind Kino to give thanks to God for this great fortune. Juana informs the priest that they are to be married in the church, according to Kino’s proclamation. The priest responds, “It is pleasant to see that your first thoughts are good thoughts.”  How is this ironic?_________________________________________________________________

(compare to the priest’s first thoughts, which were to profit from Kino’s wealth)

  1. The Doctor arrives to care for the baby, who he claims is still at high risk of death. Do we trust the doctor? Why or why not?___________________________________________________________________

(no, the doctor is silver-tongued and dramatic about the baby’s medical condition. The doctor is quick to ask for payment.)

  1. How does the doctor figure out where Kino has hidden the pearl? ______________________________________________________________________

(he watches Kino’s eyes when he asks where he has hidden the treasure)

  1. The author describes Kino as “transfigured”. Is this a positive or negative? How does the dog react to the new Kino?_________________________________________________________________

(it quickly becomes a negative; the dog is now leary of Kino)

  1. Kino now accepts that knowing how to read equals knowledge and power. They will no longer have to live in darkness once their son can read to them. To what extent is this true? ___________________________________________________________________

(there is truth to this, but it’s also a bit gullible. Remember that lies can be written as easily as truths.)

  1. Kino has to move the pearl to a safer place. Does anyone try to steal it during the night?_____________________________________________________________

(yes, Kino has defended his home in the dark and drawn blood on his knife. We do not know who the blood belongs to)

  1. Being seduced by greedy desire is a common theme in literature. Make a short list of other stories that share this theme:

(Lord of the Rings, Monkey’s Paw, Arabian Nights, Little Mermaid, Count of Monte Cristo)

  1. Does Juana continue to support Kino and his possession of this pearl? _________________________________________________________________

(no, she now thinks it is evil and they must get rid of it)

Chapter 4

  1. It’s time to sell the pearl. All eyes are on Kino. Is everyone supportive and optimistic?_________________________________________________________

(Kino comes under scrutiny by neighbors who hope he will not become corrupt with his newfound wealth)

  1. Who will be to blame if Kino is unsuccessful? ____________________________________________________________________

(Kino, for reaching beyond his station. The gods will decide his fate. Notice that the blame will not likely be placed on the greedy pearl buyers.)

  1. Kino and Juan Tomas make the journey to town. The author describes it as a solemn procession. Why? ___________________________________________________________________

(like a funeral, the gods might not favor Kino. Perhaps they look on with detachment?)

  1. The Pearl buyer is as smooth as a magician, overly friendly, and focused. How does he react to seeing the pearl? _______________________________________________

(he has an amazing poker face and discourages Kino from getting his hopes up.)

  1. Is the pearl deemed valuable? _________________________________________

(no, it is deemed undesirable and flawed because of its size)

  1. What opinion do the villagers take? ___________________________________________________________________

(they are now skeptical of the pearl’s value, and think Kino should just take whatever offer is made, even if it’s low.)

  1. Does Kino follow the advice of the pearl buyer and sell? ______________________

(no, he is outraged at the lowball offer)

  1. What causes Kino to reject popular opinion about the price of this pearl? __________________________________________________________________

(he has already dared to hope. It is real for him; not just hypothetical. To walk away from this sale is to walk away from his whole dream. )

  1. Now that Kino is walking home from this botched attempt, still with his precious pearl in tow, what are his concerns? ______________________________________________

(he is sure that this pearl is extremely desirable and he is worried that he will be attacked. He is feeling exposed and vulnerable.)

  1. Kino has to fight off an unknown stranger during the night. How does Juana react? ____________________________________________________________________

(she is more certain than ever that the pearl brings only bad things for them. 

  1. Does Kino heed her advice? ____________________________________________

(no, he plans to take the pearl to the capital himself and make a better sale.)

Chapter 5

  1. During the night Kino catches Juana attempting to toss the pearl back into the sea. How does he react? ________________________________________________________

(he stops her and beats her.)

  1. On his way back to the brush hut, he is ambushed by a faceless stranger. Does he lose the pearl? What happens to the stranger? _____________________________________________________________________

(the pearl has rolled away and the stranger has been mortally stabbed by Kino.)

  1. Juana is recovering and walks toward home. She reflects on Kino’s statement “I am a man”. What does she mean? _____________________________________________________________________

(man is half insane, half god. He is invincible and reckless, and she has no choice but to stay with him for her own survival.)

  1. How is Kino reunited with the pearl?________________________________________________________________

(Juana has found it nearby and gives it back to him.)

  1. They both agree that they must run. Get a few supplies and quickly head to the boat. 

When they discover the boat has been damaged, this upsets Kino more than expected. Why? _______________________________________________________________

(The boat cannot defend itself, and it represents a village’s heritage, so it’s like shooting a bald eagle)

  1. Now they discover their brush hut is on fire. They now know that the danger is unending. Where can they hide while they figure out their next step? _____________________________________________________________________

(Kino’s brother Juan Tomas.)

  1. While Juan Tomas lies to the neighbors, telling them that Kino has left and probably drowned in the sea, Kino comes up with a new plan. What is it? ___________________________________________________________________

(travel north to the cities, avoiding the shore)

  1. Kino now has a new outlook on the pearl. Explain it: ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

(The pearl can only mean misfortune now. He and his wife agree. But he will not give it up because it has become his soul. It is his own misfortune and he must keep it or lose his soul.)

***note JRR Tolkein wrote The Hobbit in 1937. Steinbeck wrote The Pearl in 1947.

Chapter 6

  1. After walking all night without a trace, they feel safe. How does Kino face his rediscovered temptation to sell the pearl in a new village? _________________________________________________________________

(he gazes at the pearl and sees nothing but devastation)

  1. Kino and Juana realize they are being hunted by skilled trackers. Why don’t they give up and hand the pearl over? _____________________________________________________________________

(they know the trackers will leave no witnesses alive)

  1. Taking to the mountains, Kino suggests they separate so that he can be more inconspicuous, travel faster, and keep Juana from danger. How does Juana take this decision? _____________________________________________________________

(she insists on staying with him and will not budge on this course of action. This is a little unusual considering she is dependent on him and normally obeys him.)

  1. When they finally find water to satisfy their thirst, the author speaks of water being life and water being death. What might he mean? ____________________________________________________________________

(both predators and prey visit this water source. Everyone needs it but it makes you vulnerable to put it to the test.)

  1. When the trackers catch up to them, the baby fusses and gives away their hideout. Kino must risk everything to disarm the rifleman. Is he successful? _____________________________________________________________________

(yes, but the rifleman fires off a round in the process. Kino manages to kill all 3 trackers in a fit of rage.)

  1. What does Kino hear from the cave? ________________________________________

(a cry of death. We don’t know what this means for sure.)

  1. Kino and Juana return to their village looking hopeless and despondent. What do we learn? __________________________________________________________________

(the baby has been fatally shot during the scuffle.)

  1. What happens to the pearl? ___________________________________________________________________

(it is thrown violently into the sea never to be seen again.)

Points of interest: 

Steinbeck was raised by poor parents but became a celebrated writer. He never forgot his roots. 

In 1940 he sailed to the Gulf of California where he heard the legendary folk legend of the Mexican fisher boy who finds an enormous pearl that brings him only pain. 

The Indian Mexicans of this land had been dominated by the Catholic Church and Spanish people, who forced them to follow their beliefs but did not allow them to be educated or independent. You may discover many excerpts from The Pearl that reflect modern religion as well as ancient customs. 

You also may notice that Kino and the Pearl are similar to The Hobbit (which Tolkien wrote in1937) and the ring. Is there a chance that Steinbeck was influenced by Tolkien as well as by the folk lore? Perhaps.