` The Pearl` by Steinbeck

Running Head : SOCIETAL ISSUES IN THE PEARL

Societal Issues in The Pearl

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Societal Issues in The Pearl

Introduction /background of Steinbeck and the Pearl

Literature is called a mirror to society . The writer cannot escape himself from societal issues and influence . He has to accept the impact in one-way or the other . John Steinbeck 's The Pearl ' is also no exception . His characters , plot , action , style and themes all reveal some societal perspectives in explicit or implicit language . The Pearl by John

Steinbeck seems like a very simple book as a parable on the societal issues . The story is about a poor man whose new found riches take over his life . It 's a story we 've all heard before , but as you dig deeper into the meaning of the book one finds much more than just a simple story . Discoveries such as how man relates with nature , the different social statuses , and the wholeness of people can be found in this simple story

Kino is a poor Indian man with a small family , a wife and an infant son . He is an honest , venerable pearl diver who works hard to maintain his family 's livings . Kino is aware of his poverty and knows that money could possibly buy a better life for his family , especially his son . When he finally gains riches he realizes that people can kill to protect their chance for wealth and power . He also has a better grasp on the social standing of the Indians compared to the white men . He senses danger once everyone has found out about his riches , but his guard is always up . Now that his life has monetary value , Kino has lost all social innocence . He learns that he , too , can kill to protect the chance for wealth and power . Kino is the symbol of a hard-working man destroyed by greed . Kino not only destroys his life , but he destroys his wife 's and son 's life as well . Juana , his wife , is a very devoted wife She also has very maternal and logical instincts . When the doctor would not treat their son , Kino responds by punching a gate Juana puts seaweed poultice on the baby 's shoulder . When Juana felt that the pearl was destroying their life she tried to throw it into the see . Juana represents the simple way of life . Unlike Kino , Juana does not believe in pursuing the unattainable . Though their son Coyotito does not seem to play an important part , he really does represent a big issue . Coyotito is the innocent victim of powers greater than himself . He represents the person (or thing ) that is forced to stand back and cannot defend him at all in life

The Pearl as a Parable

The Pearl is basically a Mexican folklore . Although , The Pearl is purely more than a clear-cut story of a man who finds a pearl , yet it has many connotative , allegorical and suggestive touches from parable perspective...