John Steinbeck Good And Evil Essay

During World War II men were expected to bring in all the finances to ensure that all family living expenses were taking care of. If the family was not wealthy they were looked down upon as less fortunate. John Steinbeck develops the character of Kino in The Pearl through the themes of good vs. evil, knowledge and ignorance and individual vs. society. However, Kino an Indian pearl diver who is less fortunate cannot afford a doctor for his son Coyotito who was stung by a scorpion. Families who were poor during World War II were not looked at as a big priority when it came to the help of medical attention. Kino faces multiple trials and tribulations within his village when he comes into discoverance of “The Pearl of the world” (Steinbeck 11). Steinbeck uses …show more content…
In the novel Juana and Kino have two different opinions about good and evil. Kino hears the “Song of Evil” when the scorpion is about to sting the baby, but also when the priest arrives. Kino's is confused because his whole life he was taught the priest is always a good man. When he finds the Pearl he considers it a blessing. His wife Juana on the other hand she prays to ward off evil, and bring blessing. When their baby was stung by the scorpion, she prayed for a way to pay the doctor, but when Kino found the Pearl she thought it was the source of evil. “He could hear Juana whispering the old magic again, and he could hear the evil music of the enemy.” (Steinbeck 3). At the end of the novel when Juana, and Kino trudge home Kino throws the Pearl, and they can hear “The Song of Evil” leaving. In the beginning of the story Kino always heard “The Song of the Family”, which is the “good” song. When Kino found the Pearl he thought it was “The Pearl of the World” (Steinbeck 11). He didn't hear the “good” song. In the end When Kino threw the Pearl the “Bad” song left, but he didn't hear the “Song of the Family”