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John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was born in Salinas, California the son of poor parents. Although he was educated at Stanford University and became a celebrated writer, he never forgot his origins. Growing up in working class towns, he became an excellent observer of human nature and later wrote about the people he lived around–– workers including Mexican-American and migrant workers. He discovered the harsh reality that these people were often treated poorly and without respect and had little means of defending themselves. As a result, many of the characters he wrote about were down and out, isolated and oppressed.
In The Pearl, we revisit these themes through the characters of a young fisherman and his wife. Set in the peninsula Baja, in the early 1900's, we discover the town of La Paz. A city that seems as relevant to the world of today as it must have seemed in the days of Steinbeck's writing.
Chapter Questions
Chapter Questions
Instructions: Throughout the weeks ahead, you will be asked to reflect on our class's reading by answering questions related to each chapter's events. Select five questions to answer per chapter, in paragraph form, and be prepared to share those answers each Friday.
Chapter 1:
1. What is a parable and why do you suppose Steinbeck calls our attention to this in his preface?
2. What do the names of the characters suggest about the setting for this story? Explain.
3. Who appears to be the protagonist in this story? Why?
4. On pages 3-4 Kino has arisen and the day has begun. What is this song he hears and what does it suggest about how he is feeling this morning?
5. On page 5 (1st full paragraph) the song Juana sings is part of the family song and all of it, Kino perceives, is part of the Whole. What Whole?
6. While Kino’s environment is safe and pleasant, how does the picture of the ants and the roosters underscore the struggle for the survival in nature?
7. On page 5, what new song comes to Kino? Why?
8. How does Juana’s reaction to the scorpion show two sides of the Indian culture?
9. When the narrator says, “Kino had wondered often at the iron in his patient, fragile wife” (8) what does he mean?
10. How are the homes of the poor distinguished from the homes of the rich?
12. How is the doctor described? What race do you suppose the doctor is of?
13. What does the doctor’s comment on page 11 reveal about his attitude toward Indians?
14. Contrast Kino’s life, which is a life close to nature, to the doctor’s life, which is a life amidst civilization.
Chapter 2 (pg. 14-20)
1. How is a canoe a bulwark against starvation? Explain using evidence from the text.
2. How is a pearl formed? What does the author imply with his description?
3. What does Juana pray for? Why?
4. The Indians think of God or “the gods.” What does this reveal about their religious beliefs?
5. On what two discoveries does Chapter 2 end?
6. Why does Kino howl?
7. On page 15, Steinbeck tells us that because the mixture of air and water over the gulf creates mirages, the Indians do not trust what they see with their eyes. How could this fit with the theme of “appearance versus reality”?
Chapter 3 (pg. 21-39)
1. In the opening what is the town compared to? Why do you suppose he makes this comparison?
2. How does the news of the pearl affect a) the priest, b) the shopkeepers, c) the doctor, and d) the beggars.
3. In what sense (page 23) did Kino become “every man’s enemy”?
4. How is the news of the pearl compared to the poisonous sting of the scorpion? Do you agree with this portrayal?
5. What does Kino say he will do once the pearl is sold?
6. In the middle of page 27 Kino hears “the song of evil” faintly. Who do you think brings it in to Kino’s house? Give a reason for your answer.
7. As the doctor approaches, why is Kino feeling rage?
8. On page 30 how does Kino feel trapped by his own ignorance?
9. What do you guess the doctor gives Coyotito?
10. What is suggested by the references to the fish and mice on page 32?
11. How does the doctor find out where Kino has hidden the pearl?
12. After the intruder is driven off, what does Juana say of the pearl? Why?
13. Why can Kino not do what Juana asks of him?
14. Back on pages 28-29, why is Kino afraid of making plans?
Chapter 4 (pg. 40-56)
1. In the first paragraph how has the wholeness of the town been disrupted?
2. Why is there no longer any real competition among the pearl buyers?
3. Why is this a big day for the entire village?
4. In earlier times how did the pearl divers try to get a better price for their pearls and what happened to their effort?
5. What is suggested by the priest’s sermon on pages 44-45? What might lead Kino and his brother to believe this? What might lead them to be suspicious of the priest’s sermon?
6. How does Steinbeck show us that despite what he says, the pearl buyer is impressed by the size and beauty of the pearl?
7. How does the pearl buyer devalue the pearl? What further strategy does the buyer use to try to convince Kino that the pearl has little value?
8. How is the village divided on Kino’s actions with the pearl buyer?
9. On page 52 it says, “(Kino) had lost one world and had not gained another.” What world did he lose?
10. Why does it take much courage for Kino to make the decision to go to the city?
11. Why is Kino’s brother afraid for him? What insightful comment does he make about their friends? (page 53)
12. What does Kino say this time when Juana again says they should get rid of the pearl because it brings evil? What is implied in his answer?
13. At this point do you think Kino is right or is he just being stupid and willful?
14. What plans do they make for the next day?
Chapter 5 (pg. 58-66)
1. What does Juana try to do with the pearl? Why? What does Kino do?
2. What happens on the beach? What happens to the pearl?
3. Given a second opportunity after finding the pearl on the sand, why does Juana not get rid of it?
4. Why will it not matter that Kino killed the man in self-defense?
5. As they head for home, what two discoveries do they make? What does this signify?
6. What is Juan Tomas’ opinion of the pearl at this point?
7. What is Kino’s comment on the pearl on page 66? In what sense might this be true?
Chapter 6 (pg. 67-88)
1. Why is Kino more convinced than ever that the pearl is of great value?
2. On page 67, Steinbeck says Kino was being moved by “some animal thing.” What does he mean by this?
3. Who does Kino see in the road? Why does he say they will be back?
4. Why does Kino consider letting the trackers take him? What does Juana say that convinces him not to?
5. How are the mountain pools places of both life and death for the animals in the area?
6. What plan does Kino make to get rid of the trackers? What happens to disrupt his plan?
7. In their return to the village, what is unusual in the manner that they are walking? What might this signify?
8. On page 86 how is Kino described? How are both described?
9. In Chapter 1 when Kino first looked at the pearl he saw a church wedding for Juana and himself. On page 87 what does he see in the pearl now?
10. What action do Kino and Juana take at the end of this story? Why?
You must choose one of the following questions to address:
- If you assume that Kino threw the pearl back because he felt guilty, then what does the pearl symbolize and what is the lesson that this parable is teaching?
- If you assume that Kino threw the pearl back out of rage and frustration, then what does the pearl symbolize and what is the lesson to be learned?
- Steinbeck is often associated with a movement in writing called naturalism. Naturalists believed that man does not have free will; rather man’s fate is determined by large social and economic forces he cannot control. If that is the case, what is the lesson to be learned?
- You may see the pearl as a symbol of something else with a different lesson to be learned. If that is so, write what you think that might be.
Summative Project: The Pearl
Summative Project: The Pearl
Instructions:
Instructions:
Throughout your reading of The Pearl a number of important themes were expressed, including:
- Money, Possessions, Greed: Look for passages/quotes dealing with the quest for money and the desire for things of the material world, as well as references to the steps which people will take to attain those things. Also, look for passages/quotes that imply that money can buy happiness.
- Social Oppression: Look for passages/quotes dealing with the oppression of the Mexican Indians in the portrayal of the doctor, the priest, the pearl buyers, and the trackers. Watch for details which show how Kino and his people are treated disrespectfully, taken advantage of, and discriminated against.
- Man as a part of nature: Look for passages/quotes which illustrate similarities between humans and other species through comparisons. NOTICE the frequent images Steinbeck uses and think of how these passages reflect or foreshadow (give hints about future events) HUMAN events. Kino’s songs: Look for passages/quotes with references to the “music” Kino hears–– the three types of songs he hears and their significance. Pay particular attention to WHEN and UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES he “hears” a particular song.
- Good vs. Evil: Look for passages/quotes that reflect images and ideas of darknesslight, good- evil, brightness- dimness, day- night, black- white, etc.
- Appearance vs. Reality: Look for passages/quotes that refer to things not being what they seem. Consider looking for passages/quotes about visions, haze, mirages, dreams, vagueness, ghostly gleams, illusions, etc.
Choose one of these themes (or one of your own invention) and prove that theme through a method of your own choosing. Time commitment is expected to be no less than five hours, four of which will be granted during class time. Possible ways of proving The Pearl's theme include:
- Informative essay
- Persuasive speech
- Informative Presentation
- Comic recreation of important scenes
- Film recreation of important scenes
- Creative writing expressing the story of The Pearl from a new perspective
Credit to Penguin Books for their spectacular work preparing these materials which were presented here with only minor modifications.
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