The Pearl
The Pearl
by John Steinbeck is a novel about a simple fasherman's family. It takes place in a small Indian village. Kino, a poor diver, has found a pearl in the Gulf which has totally changed his life.
This novel opens at the beginning of a new day. Both Kino and his wife, Juana, arise and go about their usual morning habits. It seems like a perfect morning, however, it's going to be destroyed. Kino sees a scorpion sting his son, Coyotito. They take Coyotito into town to see the doctor. The doctor is very miserly. When the doctor knows Kino can't pay the fees, he just sends the servant down to tell Kino that he is out. He even didn't tale a look at them.
In that morning, Kino goes to dive again. He finds a big oyster which has a large pearl inside. It's the greatest pearl in the world. It's as large as a sea gull's egg and as perfect as the moon. The nerves of the town are pulsing and vibrating with this news. The priest comes to Kino's house, he wants Kino to contribute the church. The doctor also comes to take some medicine to Coyotito. He also tells Kino that he can keep the pearl for him. However, Kino doesn't give him his pearl. He tells the doctor he will sell the pearl to pay his fees and to let Coyotino get education. Everyone wants the pearl, Kino became every man's enemy.
On the next morning, when Kino is going to sell the pearl, all the pearl buyers are cheating him. Therefore, Kino refuses to sell the pearl. That night, Kino has been beaten again. Juana implores Kino to destroy the pears-it's wicked, but Kino still thinks that pears will bring them wealth and respect.
On the third day, Kino catches up with Juana at the beach just at the moment that her raised to throw the pearl back into the Gulf. This night, for the third time, Kino is attacked by some unknown figures, and he kills one of the assailants. Juana realizes that the peace which existed before the time of the pearl is gone forever. They decide to go away, but Kino discovers someone breaks their boat. When they return to their house, it is in flames. Kino and Juana take the baby to go to Kino's brother, Juan Tomas' house. They let others think that Kino has escaped and gone. Kino and Juana have different opinion towards the pearl, the family is breaking apart.
Kino and his family take an exodus from his known world to enter a new, strange world. Some trackers are follow them. They have a fight. This time, Coyotito has been killed by a bullet, a bullet intended for Kino. When they return the town, they carry a bundle which contains Coyotito's dead body.
Kino won the fight, but he lost his son and all of his dreams. The resolution of the story is Kino throws the pearl to the gulf.