John Steinbeck

In the story The Pearl by John Steinbeck, follows two characters Kino and Juana, a poor Native American couple that lives along the coast of the Baja Peninsula. Throughout the story the two have to face many face difficult decisions that deeply affect the outcome of the story. These decisions are made with good intentions, although sometimes led to abominable outcomes. Both Kino and Juana’s decisions are thematically motivated by their ideals. The plot of the Pearl revolves around Kino; a poor pearl diver from La Paz, a small village on the coast of the Baja Peninsula. However, Kino’s entire life changes when he finds “the pearl of the world”, leaving Kino having to make many tough decisions. Kino faces the decision of whether or not …show more content…
Kino knows of the doctor’s racism and that he would not waste his time with his culture as seen in this quote: “Have I nothing better to do than cure insect bites for little Indians’? I am a doctor not a veterinary” (Steinbeck 11). This quote shows how little of a chance Kino had of receiving medical attention for his son. This becomes exemplified by the doctor stating him to not be a veterinary, showing how he views Kino’s people as animals. Despite that going to the doctor goes against the customs of the Native American people, Kino knows that the best chance for Coyotito to survive. This was a selfless decision that was made in order to help Coyotito. “‘I am cheated,’ Kino cried fiercely. ‘ My pearl is not for sale here. I will go, perhaps even to the capital’”(Steinbeck 52). This quote refers to when Kino made a decision to not sell the pearl to the buyers.