The Pearl Symbolism

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Pages: 3

There is always something that affects a family whether it’s a new baby or a job relocation. In “The Pearl,” by John Steinbeck, Juana and Kino’s first baby Coyotito got a scorpion bite. This caused the family the need to go out and find money, in this case a pearl. This pearl changed the lives of Juana and Kino. John Steinbeck focused deeply on symbolism to show how the pearl affected the family throughout the novella. In the beginning, John Steinbeck uses the pearl to symbolize courage, hope and luck. Kino needed to find the pearl to pay for Coyotito’s scorpion bite treatments. “The news came early to the beggars in front of the church, and it made them giggle a little with pleasure, for they knew that there is no almsgiver in the world like a poor man who is suddenly lucky.” This shows that everyone in the town was very surprised at how fast Kino and Juana found the pearl. The pearl was a symbol of luck to Kino. The pearl was the answer, or at least they thought it was. They were very lucky to find it so fast, but with every good there is bad. And in “The Pearl,” …show more content…
Kino, Juana, and Coyotito face some unforgettable struggles, including the death of Coyotito. “This was an evil beyond thinking. The killing of a man was not so evil as the killing of a boat. For a boat does not have sons, and a boat cannot protect itself, and a wounded boat does not heal.” This quote shows another struggle they face towards the end of “The Pearl.” Kino had just accidentally killed a guy when he attacked him, so he knew he had to hurry out of town with his family as fast as he could. The only way to leave was by his canoe. When he got to his canoe, it had a huge hole in the center to the point where it would sink if it was put in the water. It was the worst time for this to happen to Kino. His whole life was going downhill and none of this would’ve happened if it wasn’t for the