What makes a character a tragic hero? A tragic hero is a character who makes an error that leads to his/her downfall, defeat, or destruction. Many authors implement tragic heroes in their writing to teach the audience a lesson. John Steinbeck, the author of The Pearl, implemented a tragic hero in his writing to teach the reader a lesson. In The Pearl, Kino, the main protagonist, is a character who is portrayed as a tragic hero in the allegory.
Kino's amiable attitude throughout the book makes him a tragic hero. Although Kino was greedy during later parts in the book, he was still a likable person. Kino had a devotion for his son, Coyotito, and his wife, Juana. Kino would sacrifice his life over his family's life, which makes him …show more content…
Kino had a rash greed for money after he obtained the pearl. When the dealers told Kino the real value of the pearl, Kino became extremely angry and greedy. Kino felt as if he was cheated, although he was still offered a sufficient amount of money for the pearl. When the dealers offered less money than Kino had expected, he cried, "I am cheated. My pearl is not for sale here. I will go, perhaps even to the capital."(52). Kino became greedy after he obtained the pearl, something that would have never happened if Coyotito never got stung by a scorpion. It is tragic how greedy Kino had become, as his avarice was cause by his willingness to dive for pearls in order to obtain money to help treat Coyotito. As the scorpion is on the string, the author says, "Kino's hand leaped to catch it, but it fell past his fingers, fell on the baby's shoulder and struck...had it in his fingers, rubbing it to a paste in his hands."(5). Kino's good intentions for the future of his family makes his avarice a tragedy. Kino was not going to purchase goods for himself, as he wanted to give a better life for his entire family. He was going to buy new clothes, give Coyotito a good education, buy himself a rifle, and get married with Juana. However, none of this actually happens, as Coyotito ends up dying at the end of the book and Kino flings the pearl back into the ocean. When Kino obtains the pearl, he says, "'We will be
Kino's amiable attitude throughout the book makes him a tragic hero. Although Kino was greedy during later parts in the book, he was still a likable person. Kino had a devotion for his son, Coyotito, and his wife, Juana. Kino would sacrifice his life over his family's life, which makes him …show more content…
Kino had a rash greed for money after he obtained the pearl. When the dealers told Kino the real value of the pearl, Kino became extremely angry and greedy. Kino felt as if he was cheated, although he was still offered a sufficient amount of money for the pearl. When the dealers offered less money than Kino had expected, he cried, "I am cheated. My pearl is not for sale here. I will go, perhaps even to the capital."(52). Kino became greedy after he obtained the pearl, something that would have never happened if Coyotito never got stung by a scorpion. It is tragic how greedy Kino had become, as his avarice was cause by his willingness to dive for pearls in order to obtain money to help treat Coyotito. As the scorpion is on the string, the author says, "Kino's hand leaped to catch it, but it fell past his fingers, fell on the baby's shoulder and struck...had it in his fingers, rubbing it to a paste in his hands."(5). Kino's good intentions for the future of his family makes his avarice a tragedy. Kino was not going to purchase goods for himself, as he wanted to give a better life for his entire family. He was going to buy new clothes, give Coyotito a good education, buy himself a rifle, and get married with Juana. However, none of this actually happens, as Coyotito ends up dying at the end of the book and Kino flings the pearl back into the ocean. When Kino obtains the pearl, he says, "'We will be