The Pearl (novel)
Encyclopedia
The Pearl is a novella
Novella
A novella is a written, fictional, prose narrative usually longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula Awards for science fiction define the novella as having a word count between 17,500 and 40,000...

 by American author John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck
John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. was an American writer. He is widely known for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden and the novella Of Mice and Men...

, published in 1947.

Analysis

A story based on a Mexican folk tale, The Pearl explores the secrets of man's nature, the darkest depths of evil, and the disastrous effects of stepping out of an established system. Bad things will happen if one abuses his/her spot, according to the Father in the novel.

The doctor refers to Kino's race as animals.

The Pearl itself eventually leads to the devastation of a family. At the outset, Kino envisions a better future the pearl will bring as he wants new clothes for his family and himself, a proper wedding for he and Juana, and a proper education for Coyotito. Before Kino undertakes his plans, friends and relatives of Kino wonder whether it will make or break Kino and his family and people question whether he can achieve these goals because Kino would have to essentially break the rigid social structure.

Philosophic

The pearl is symbolic of all the power to deceive, to corrupt, and to destroy. But it does bring hope, promise to comfort, and security to this poor, Mexican family.

External links

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