Anacreon, an Ancient Greek poet, once said, “Cursed be he above all others Who 's enslaved by love of money. Money takes the place of brothers, Money takes the place of parents, Money brings us war and slaughter.” This is a quote that relates to The Pearl because it shows that greed is evil. It shows how greed tears apart families, and brings anger to people. Greed, or materialism, is the love or obsession of possessions. The Pearl is based on a Mexican folktale about a young native Mexican man finding the “Pearl of the World,” the size of a seagull egg (Steinbeck). The native believes that the pearl will bring his family great fortune, but instead the pearl brings harm. The pearl harms his family and changes his view on life. When John Steinbeck
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In the beginning of the novel, before Kino has found the pearl, he watches over nature and the “detachment of God,” (Steinbeck). In this quote, it shows how Kino is innocent and pure because he is being compared to God. Kino lives a good life because he lives a good life with fresh breakfast, a family, and his prized possession, his canoe. Once Kino finds the pearl he becomes an animal, whose priorities are off kilter. Kino becomes a person who is only concerned with his possessions. The first time that this is shown is in chapter four. Kino refuses to take an offer of one thousand pesos, even though “it was a comparative wealth to a man who was not wealthy.” Kino wants to become a rich man, no matter what it takes. Kino’s greed becomes dangerous in chapter five. This is shown when Kino strikes Juana when she tries to throw the pearl. This is one of the first scenes that shows how he is willing to do harm in order to keep his possessions. When Juana stares at him “like a sheep before the butcher,” it shows how she was expecting the greed to bring out the “murder in him.” In chapter five it also shows how Kino is willing to kill for his possessions. When a mysterious man tries to steal the pearl from Kino, he takes out his knife and brutally kills the man so that they cannot recognize the face. John Steinbeck creates the theme that greed can change anyone with the change in Kino’s
In the beginning of the novel, before Kino has found the pearl, he watches over nature and the “detachment of God,” (Steinbeck). In this quote, it shows how Kino is innocent and pure because he is being compared to God. Kino lives a good life because he lives a good life with fresh breakfast, a family, and his prized possession, his canoe. Once Kino finds the pearl he becomes an animal, whose priorities are off kilter. Kino becomes a person who is only concerned with his possessions. The first time that this is shown is in chapter four. Kino refuses to take an offer of one thousand pesos, even though “it was a comparative wealth to a man who was not wealthy.” Kino wants to become a rich man, no matter what it takes. Kino’s greed becomes dangerous in chapter five. This is shown when Kino strikes Juana when she tries to throw the pearl. This is one of the first scenes that shows how he is willing to do harm in order to keep his possessions. When Juana stares at him “like a sheep before the butcher,” it shows how she was expecting the greed to bring out the “murder in him.” In chapter five it also shows how Kino is willing to kill for his possessions. When a mysterious man tries to steal the pearl from Kino, he takes out his knife and brutally kills the man so that they cannot recognize the face. John Steinbeck creates the theme that greed can change anyone with the change in Kino’s