The Pearl's Symbolism In The Pearl By John Steinbeck

The main symbol John Steinbeck employs in “The Pearl” is the pearl itself. The pearl’s symbolism changes throughout the course of the story. In the beginning of the parable, the pearl represents hope, freedom, luck, and the promise of a future free from the restrictions of the colonial society. For centuries, the main character, Kino’s people have existed as simple pearl divers, and have created a story about a perfect pearl, or the “Pearl of the World” (Steinbeck 21). At first to Kino and Juana the discovery of the matchless pearl is a joyous blessing, one which will positively change their lives. Kino and Juana deem the discovery of the pearl will compensate for their son being wounded by a scorpion and will bring them good fortune. Furthermore, the …show more content…
Coincidentally, the pearl is both physically and symbolically reflective. “Kino lifted the flesh and there it lay, the great pearl, perfect as the moon. It captured the light and refined it and gave it back in silver incandescence. It was as large as a sea-gull’s egg. It was the greatest pearl in the world” (19). The humans of Kino’s community glance into the pearl and envision their aspirations. Thus, as the story unweaves, the pearl mirrors the transformation of Kino, from an innocent Mexican man, to a person temporarily overcome by greed. The pearl reinforces to the reader the character changes Kino undergoes throughout the course of the parable. At the beginning of the story, John Steinbeck employs the pearl to imply hope, freedom, and to enhance his overall argument of the colonial domination of the natives. However, even the wealth of the pearl cannot free Kino from the colonial social confinement, despite the fact the foundation of the colonial society is wealth. As Kino articulates, “I will fight this thing. “‘I will fight this thing. I will win over