The Pearl Critical evaluation.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck is a novel that explores human greed. Looking at how the author uses style, character and plot I will show how he has written a powerful tale. I will also look at the way he tells the story and the symbolism of the pearl itself.
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The Pearl begins in a small fishing village, the main character is Kino, his baby son Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion, which could easily kill a baby. Kino and his wife Juana take him to the doctor but he says, "I am a doctor not a veterinary" He will only treat Coyotito in exchange for money. Kino and his wife sadly cannot afford to pay the doctor's fee, but in a desperate attempt Juana tries to treat baby Coyotito herself. Luckily the next day whilst diving for pearls Kino finds the answer to their problems, he comes across the biggest most wonderful pearl in the world, which will easily cover the doctor's fee if sold. Juana looks at Coyotito's shoulder with delight as her own treatment worked and the shoulder healed. When Kino goes into the town to sell the pearl no one will give him a fair price for it. News spreads fast and all the pearl buyers had set a price which was far to low, just to try and cheat Kino of money. Kino is not fooled and he decides to travel to the mainland to seek a fair price but during the night someone destroys Kino's boat, which had been passed down through generations, preventing Kino from going to the mainland. Kino is attacked and ends up killing a man. Juana tries to throw the pearl away but Kino manages to stop her, Kino throws her onto the ground and kicks her. Now they have to leave for their own safety. They run away along the coast but are followed by three trackers that want the pearl Kino is forced to kill them all, but tragically baby Coyotito is killed. Kino and Juana travel back to the village walking side by side with Coyotito wrapped up in a blanket on Juana's back.