The Pearl (novella)
| First edition cover First edition cover | |
| Author | John Steinbeck |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novella |
| Publisher | The Viking Press & William Heinemann |
Publication date | 1947 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | NA Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
The Pearl is a 1947 novella by John Steinbeck. It tells the story of a poor Mexican Indian diver who finds a magnificent pearl which he hopes will improve his family's life; however, he finds that his new wealth brings only corruption of the soul and the blinding luxuries of 'civilized' life. Like many of Steinbeck's works, the book primarily addresses the issues of poverty, wealth, and an unjust society. La perla, a 1948 motion picture in Spanish, is based on the book.
Summary
Chapter I
Kino, Juana, and their infant son, Coyotito, live in a modest brush house by the sea. Kino wakes up in the morning hearing the "Song of the Family" (meaning he is content and happy). Juana also wakes up then and says "I Love You" to Coyotito (who sleeps in a hanged box). Juana tends to breakfast. Then a [[scorpionThe whole village hears the cry of Coyotitthis book suckare poor natives who cannot pay enough. (This prejudice is not so much based on their race as based upon their economic standing in society.)
Chapter II
Later that same morning, Kino and Juana take their family canoe, an heirloom, out to the estuary to go diving for pearls. Juana makes a poultice (made of seaweed) for Coyotito’s swollen shoulder, while Kino searches the sea bottom. Juana’s prayers for a large pearl are answered when Kino surfaces with the largest pearl either of them has ever seen, which he dubs "The Pearl of the World." Kino lets out a triumphant yell at his great fortune, prompting the surrounding boats to circle in and examine his treasure.
Chapter III
The news of Kino's "Pearl of the World" spreads through the town. Oblivious to the townsfolks' jealousy, Kino and Juana invites their friends and neighbors to their home. Kino states that he will use the money gained from the pearl for an assortment of things, such as marriage, a rifle, and educating Coyotito. As dusk approaches, the doctor reappears to examine the baby. Claiming that the poison will strike in one hour, he administers some medications on Coyotito. As time passes, the condition of the baby worsens, and the doctor returns once again. He uses a different potion on Coyotito and seems to have cured him. Kino states he will pay the doctor when he sells the pearl, and the family retires to bed. An attempt to steal the pearl while they slept had occurred but failed, leaving Kino injured. They make it to the next day, and Juana and Kino are hopeful on selling the pearl.
Chapter IV
When Kino tries to sell the pearl in La Paz, Baja California Sur, he is cheated by the pearl buyer and his comrades. The first pearl buyer offers 1000 pesos, two others don't want it, and the last one offers 500 to 600 pesos. He was disappointed because he expected the pearl's price to be 50,000 pesos. Kino knows that he has been cheated and decides to go to the capital to sell the pearl there.
Chapter V
Witnessing the greed growing in Kino, Juana realizes that the pearl is bringing great evil into their lives. Juana attempts to throw the pearl back into the ocean the next morning. Kino is able to find her at the last second and takes the pearl back before striking Juana in the face.
Kino walks off and is attacked by a mysterious man. He stabs back with his knife, killing the man in "self defense". Juana finds the pearl and gives it back to Kino. They realize that peace is behind them forever and they try to get away to a town in the north. At first they plan to canoe over the Gulf to the capital but find out that their canoe is broken (which the narrator considered more disrespectful than killing a man in this society, yet is only a metaphor, and shouldn't be taken literally in the broader scope of the story). When they return, they find out that their house is burned down. They hide out in Kino's brother, Juan Tomas's house for protection.
The next day, they leave for Loreto in the north. After narrowly dodging trackers during the day on the main trail, they decide to diverge from the trail and take a more difficult climb over the mountains in an attempt to delay their followers.
Chapter VI
Upon reaching the other side, Kino spots their enemies and takes shelter with Juana and Coyotito in a small cave in the cliff face.They sleep through the day. At dusk, the trackers make camp at the base of the very cliff where the family is hiding. Kino strips naked for camouflage and prepares to go kill the trackers. Coyotito cries out, trackers believe he is a coyote pup and fire into cave. Kino attacks and kills all 3 trackers only to find that the shot hit and killed Coyotito. Kino and Juana go back to town and throw the Pearl into sea.
Characters in The Pearl
Main Characters
Kino, an honest, dignified, poor fisherman and pearl diver who works to support his family and with a great deal of pride and stubbornness. Out of a stroke of luck, he finds "The Pearl of the World". This ultimately leads to the downfall of not only him, but his entire family. He is a simple and natural being who functions well in the traditional ways of the village. In the novel he turns from a honest and dignified poor man to a greedy sociopath who is very brutal and protective.
Juana, Kino's lover (they do not have enough money for marriage), a strong and fast-decision maker, serves as a contrast to Kino himself. She is thoughtful and is adept at seeing the warning signs that Kino refuses and she dies to acknowledge. She is also very close to Kino, as she can sense his thoughts without Kino telling her what he is thinking. Although she can see these signs, she is unable to take a truly dominant position in this relationship because of her ingrained subordination.
Coyotito, the baby of Kino and Juana, is still unaware of the world. During the novel, he is stung by a scorpion and in desperate need of the local doctor’s help. However, this is not easily obtainable. Coyotito is killed in the end by a bullet that ricochets off the walls of a cave. His dead body is later carried back to the village in a shawl on his mother's back. Coyotito in Spanish means "Little Coyote."
Other Characters
Juan Tomás, the older and wiser brother to Kino is consistently loyal to his family. One can see his concern for Kino and his pearl. Even though Kino refuses to listen to his concerns, Juan still agrees to help him escape from the people who are after him. He and Kino share simple, unaffected love even in his most difficult times.
Apolonia, is the matronly wife of Juan Tomás and Kino's sister-in-law. She later helps Kino (together with Juan Tomás) and Juana to escape because of what Kino has done to one of the thieves.
The Priest is an undeveloped character. When he hears news of the discovery of the Pearl, he suggests giving the pearl or the money to the Pope or the church. He later makes claim to part of the pearl.
Enemies
The Doctor is simply known as "the doctor." He is blamed and hated in the community, especially when he refused to treat Coyotito. He is portrayed as a man who many would say is lacking in moral values. He bluntly refuses to help the Kino family due to the fact that they are "little Indians," not worthy of helping unless they had the money to compensate for their race. His interest in the family only occurs after he hears of Kino’s find.
The Trackers are a group of men trying to get the Pearl of Kino. They shoot Coyotito because his cry was like a coyote pup.
Symbolism
- The Song of the Family - The Song of the Family is a melody that Kino or another character may hear in their head during moments of warmth and happiness. The reader, naturally, never actually hears this song. However, whenever someone is said to be hearing it, it is understood that the character is happy. This is important in understanding how Kino changes through the story. As he begins his descent into insanity, consumed by greed and fear, he stops hearing this song altogether, communicating to the reader that he no longer feels any happiness.
- The Song of Evil - This is basically the opposite of the Song of the Family. A character hears this song when they are in the presence of evil, or an evil person, such as the doctor or the priest. This song is heard more and more frequently by Kino as the story progresses, marking his descent into madness.
- The Pearl - In the beginning, Kino sees in the pearl his future, happy and bright. He has nice things, his child goes to school and his family is satisfied. The pearl itself is described as shiny and aesthetically pleasing. However, when Kino begins to realize that the pearl brings him more grief than good, his view of the pearl changes. It appears less shiny over time, and doesn't represent his a happy future as much as a bleak one. When he finally throws it away, he sees it as a blemish on his life; dark, plain, and displeasing.
Film, TV, Musical, or Theatrical adaptations
- The movie, La perla, set in Mexico and closely following Steinbeck's storyline, was adapted by Emilio Fernández, John Steinbeck and Jack Wagner from the novella and stars Pedro Armendáriz and María Elena Marqués. It was directed by Fernández.
- The Musical duo Fleming and John recorded a song called "The Pearl" which is based on the novel. It appears on their 1994 album Delusions of Grandeur.