The author of ‘The Pearl’, John Steinbeck wrote a novella about how a man becomes completely obsessed over an inanimate object, a pearl. This obsession and greed leads to death and tragedy. The protagonist, Kino, finds a magnificent pearl. The pearl’s value and worth leads to the greed of others and the overprotective nature Kino adapts. He succumbs to obsession, greed and anger. This ultimately leads to the death of men and his own son. Steinbeck positions the reader to believe that Kino is responsible for the tragedy brought upon his family. The narrative, characterisation and symbolism of ‘The Pearl’ display and prove how Kino brought tragedy upon his family.
The author, Steinbeck uses characterisation to prove that Kino is responsible …show more content…
These actions leads to the tragedy brought upon his family. Because of Kino’s overprotectiveness of the pearl, since it represents his hopes of a better life, he holds onto it. He is his drive to kill started after locals were trying to break into his house. Kino kills with hesitation or realisation what he has done in order to hold onto the pearl. This quote best represents what Kino desires most, to provide a better life for his family, “But Kino’s face shone with prophecy.’ My son will read and open the books, and my son will write and will know writing. And my son will make numbers and these things will make us free because he will know – he will know and through him we will know.” (Pg 13) This quote represents what Kino wants to and can achieve through the pearl’s worth. Kino wants to provide for his family and bring themselves out of the poverty they live in. He believes that through Coyotito’s education, he and Juana will learn and become more knowledgeable of the English language. He overall wants to improve the current situation they are in, educate themselves and buy things and services they could not before the pearl. Kino is not the wealthiest man alive, he can just provide for his family from pearl diving. Without the pearl that he came across he would not be able to earn that type of money. He doesn’t have a regular job in the city. Earning the amount of money that the pearl is worth would be nearly impossible for him. The pearl represents Kino’s hopes and dreams for the improvement of him and his family’s life-style, this leads to tragedy due to Kino’s overprotective (violent) nature that is brought upon his
The author, Steinbeck uses characterisation to prove that Kino is responsible …show more content…
These actions leads to the tragedy brought upon his family. Because of Kino’s overprotectiveness of the pearl, since it represents his hopes of a better life, he holds onto it. He is his drive to kill started after locals were trying to break into his house. Kino kills with hesitation or realisation what he has done in order to hold onto the pearl. This quote best represents what Kino desires most, to provide a better life for his family, “But Kino’s face shone with prophecy.’ My son will read and open the books, and my son will write and will know writing. And my son will make numbers and these things will make us free because he will know – he will know and through him we will know.” (Pg 13) This quote represents what Kino wants to and can achieve through the pearl’s worth. Kino wants to provide for his family and bring themselves out of the poverty they live in. He believes that through Coyotito’s education, he and Juana will learn and become more knowledgeable of the English language. He overall wants to improve the current situation they are in, educate themselves and buy things and services they could not before the pearl. Kino is not the wealthiest man alive, he can just provide for his family from pearl diving. Without the pearl that he came across he would not be able to earn that type of money. He doesn’t have a regular job in the city. Earning the amount of money that the pearl is worth would be nearly impossible for him. The pearl represents Kino’s hopes and dreams for the improvement of him and his family’s life-style, this leads to tragedy due to Kino’s overprotective (violent) nature that is brought upon his