Steinbeck Literary Techniques

After reading the novella, The Pearl, and considering the style that the book is written in, I am convinced that John Steinbeck is one of the most descriptive authors in the history of American literature. His use of figurative language and vivid imagery are instrumental in allowing his readers to visualize the characters as the drama unfolds in La Paz, Mexico.
One of his literary techniques is his use of metaphors. This is demonstrated earlier in the story when the entire town of La Paz knew about Kino’s magnificent pearl and was very excited. Steinbeck captures this image with great detail as he describes, “A town has a nervous system and a head and shoulders and feet.” (Page- 21) Another example of Steinbeck’s genius is when he uses personification to illustrate the scene where Kino and his beloved Juana were in the parched mountains. Again the author uses great precision as he explains how “There wasn't much left of it anyway, for every time it fell over an escarpment the thirsty air drank it…” (Page- 79) Such mastery of the language and creativity with his imagery allows the readers to see the drama and imagine they are …show more content…
This is ironic because a doctor, otherwise known as a healer, is supposed to heal others and the doctor from The Pearl, maltreated the young child, Coyotito. Another example of irony I found was dramatic irony. I found irony in the fact that Kino, the seller, thought that he would be paid big money for his splendid pearl, but in fact the pearl buyers rigged the selling of his pearl by meeting before hand and planning to keep the price of it the same between all of them, and Kino had not known of their meeting. This is captured masterfully by the author he writes,” It was supposed that the pearl buyers were individuals acting alone…” (Page-42). Such incisive use of irony hint to thematic agenda which Steinbeck proposes in The Pearl, and makes the story meaningful even to students in