The Pearl by John Steinbeck

The PearlBy John Steinbeck

The Pearl by John Steinbeck. This book takes place in Mexico during the nineteen hundreds in the city of La Paz.

The main characters are Kino an Indian pearl diver who finds the magnificent pearl and whose life is partially destroyed by this pearl. Juana is Kino's wife and faithful partner and she is obedient and devoted to her family. Coyotito is Kino and Juana's infant son he is bitten by a scorpion and recovers miraculously only to be later killed by a bullet.

The theme of this book is not to let greed or money to get in the way of you or your family. Greed is a destructive force and if not controlled it will effect you a lot maybe even forever, like the death of Kino's son Coyotito. Another theme is fate because fate was a major aspect to why Kino did not succeed in his dreams of having a luxurious life. When Kino discovered the Pearl he thought that it would take him out of poverty and into a life of happiness. The pearl was not meant for anyone to find, and the finding of one was luck, "a little pat on the back by God."

The problem in this story is that Kino is trying to sell his pearl and every one bids a low price. That means he keeps it longer and everyone is trying to steal it from him. The conflict is man vs. man the reason why is that a lot of people are trying to steal it from him the day he got it. It went to the point that people were tracking him for it and attacking him in his sleep.

I hated it when Kino went pearl diving and found the "pearl of the world," and started making a scene. When you find something very valuable like that you keep that a secret and under ground. When you make a discovery with something valuable like that you do not deal in front of an audience you do it privately. When you plan to travel somewhere to deal a valuable thing like a pearl as big as a seagulls egg you do not tell any one and you be especially careful.

This book taught me not to let money or anything get in the way with me and my families relationship. It made me think twice about money and keeping it for myself and at least helping someone if I have enough money.