Study Questions &
Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. What do we
learn about the pearl’s symbolism from the reactions it evokes?
In his epigraph to The Pearl, Steinbeck
writes, “If this story is a parable, perhaps everyone takes his
own meaning from it and reads his own life into it.” Indeed, the
pearl’s vague symbolism means that each character’s—and each reader’s—reaction
to it seems more a function of the nature of the person involved
than of the pearl itself. For most characters, the pearl simply
brings out greed and ambition. To those few who are sensitive to
the current of greed surrounding the pearl, however, the pearl is
a powerful symbol of evil and ill fortune. Juana is one such character,
as is Juan Tomás, who quickly recognizes the “devil in th[e] pearl.”
2. Discuss Steinbeck’s
use of foreshadowing in The Pearl.
At every turn, Steinbeck provides clues as
to what will happen in the narrative, although sometimes his clues
are obscure. For instance, Coyotito’s name, which means “little
coyote,” hints at the fact that Coyotito is eventually mistaken
for a baby coyote by the trackers. More concretely, in Chapter 2 the
narrator discusses the native’s concept of “the Pearl That Might
Be,” foreshadowing Kino’s discovery of “the Pearl of the World.”
Additionally, Juana suggests that the pearl is evil long before
it has visited its full measure of evil upon them. Near the end
of Chapter 3, Juana even suggests that the pearl
will destroy their son, as it ultimately does.
3. One important
element of The Pearl is the contrast between fate and human agency,
between the destiny that is made for us and the destiny that we
make ourselves. How do these forces interact in Kino’s story? To
what extent is Kino responsible for his own demise? To what extent
is fate responsible?
The role of fate looms large in Kino’s undoing
in two ways. First, Kino’s downfall is incited by his accidental,
divinely appointed discovery of the pearl. Second, Kino’s status
as an impoverished fisherman who lives under the burden of colonial
oppression also creates the sense that his tragedy is decreed by
fate. The odds weigh heavily against his success, and it must be
granted that, to some extent, society does conspire toward his downfall.
At the same time, Kino is in large part to blame for
his misfortunes. His headstrong insistence on profit at all cost
and his refusal to heed the warnings of his brother and his wife
demonstrate his stubbornness and heedlessness; his excessive dependence
on violence betrays a possible recklessness and poor judgment. Ultimately, Kino’s
own shortcomings are the cause of the destruction of his happy family
life.
Suggested Essay Topics
1. How does the novella’s conclusion
complete Steinbeck’s moral argument? Could the novella have ended
in any other way? Is it wise of Kino to throw the pearl back into
the sea, or should he have searched for another option?
2. What role does family play
in The Pearl? How does the loyalty of Kino’s family
members (especially Juana and Juan Tomás) affect his actions? Was
Juan Tomás correct to shield Kino from the law after he had committed
murder? Is Juana correct to be so submissive to him? Does either
character have a choice?
3. Some critics read The
Pearl as a very specific critique of the American dream
of wealth and success. Is this reading plausible, or does it limit
it unnecessarily? If the story is about the American dream, why
is it set in a colonial Mexican society?
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