| The pearl is a book written by John Steinbeck .It tells the story of Kino, a poor Indian fisherman. Kino, his wife Juana, and his son Coyotito live in a small hut made of brush in a poor village town in La Paz, Mexico . One day Coyotito is stung on the shoulder by a poisonous scorpion. Kino, Juana, and their neighbors take Coyotito to the local doctor. The doctor refuses to treat Coyotito because Kino is too poor to pay. Kino became very angry because of the doctor's refusal. The next afternoon Kino decides to go fishing for oysters in search of a pearl. He then finds a large oyster and opens it. Inside the oyster Kino uncovers a giant pearl. Kino then becomes very excited thinking that the pearl will make him become very rich. The villagers quickly learn of Kino's finding of the pearl and become very jealous of him. The same night a thief attempts to steal the pearl and attacks Kino.
Juana convinces Kino that the pearl is evil and will destroy them. The next day Kino goes to town to try and sell the pearl. Kino believes that the pearl is worth 50,000 pesos, but a pearl dealer insists that the pearl is only worth 1,000 pesos. Kino feels he is being cheated and decides to go to the capital city to sell the pearl. That night Kino is attacked by more thieves. Juana once again tries to convince Kino that the pearl will destroy them. Juana tries to throw the pearl into the ocean later that night. Kino finds Juana before the pearl is thrown into the ocean and beats her. Outside a group of men try to knock the pearl out of Kino's hand. Kino then slits one of the men's throat. Kino and Juana decide to go away because Kino has committed murder even though in their view it was in self-defense. Kino and Juana set out on their journey to the capital city. On their journey Kino believes they are being followed so Kino and Juana hide in the mountains. Juana and Coyotito hide in the cave. Kino goes to find who's following them. When Kino leaves Coyotito starts to cry. The followers assume that Coyotito's cry is a coyote pup. One of the followers shoot in the direction of Coyotito's cry. Kino attacks the followers and kills all three of them. As Kino returns to his wife and son in the cave he discovers that Coyotito is dead. Tragically, the first shot fired by one of the followers killed Coyotito. The next afternoon Kino and Juana return to the village carrying the rifle, the pearl, and their dead son Coyotito. They go to the ocean and throw the pearl into the ocean. | ||
|
Plot & Themes Tone of book? - depressed Time/era of story - 1930's-1950's Life of a profession: Ethnic/Regional/Religion Poverty, surviving Yes Kind of living: - general poverty story Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Job/Profession/Status story Yes Ethnic/regional/gender life Yes Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 2 () United States Yes The Americas (not US): Yes Small town? Yes Writing Style Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
||