Achieng does and she is treated with the respect that the hut was. When the chief learns of the mistake she had committed in order to please him, she is forgiven her sins. That decision too is symbolic because it brings out the gentler side of the chief or the human face of leadership. The bamboo plant is a delicate one just like the decision the chief had to take on this issue. 92 b Significant event The significant event is the arrival of the twins; in particular their being born by the river bank away from prying eyes. This allows Achieng to make a personal decision that allows the story to develop. C The aim of the author The author is concerned with the pressures that people in position of authority have to deal with as they conduct their business. Mboga is called a great chief; some also call him a mighty chief. This is because he applies the rules even when his family is affected and all this to the common good. This therefore should be the goal of any leader. Task Leadership is not a bed of roses. Discuss this assertion in light of the events in this story. 93 TUESDAY SIESTA by GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ COLOMBIA 1. Setting The story is set in Colombia. Part of the setting is the train and the other is the banana growing plantations of Colombia. The train affords us an opportunity to get a closer look at the mother and her daughter. One thing that is very clear is their poverty. But we also get a great insight into their self-esteem. The banana plantations they pass on their way to their destination depict the monotony of life which is made worse by the hot weather that brings life to a standstill for a couple of hours every day. This stifling heat is a very important component of the setting. It helps to develop the oppressive nature of relationships among these people. 2. The plot We meet a bereaved family, mother and daughter, on a train. They are on their way to mourn her only son who had been shot allegedly in the act of stealing. The town they are going to is far away necessitating the train ride which the deceased s sister is taking for the first time. Upon disembarking from the train, they walk straight to the church and demand to see the deceased s grave. It turns out that the deceased was not known even by the priest.


The town they are going to is far away necessitating the train ride which the deceased s sister is taking for the first time. Upon disembarking from the train, they walk straight to the church and demand to see the deceased s grave. It turns out that the deceased was not known even by the priest. He hears his name for the first time from the mother of the deceased. He begs her to wait until the sun goes down before she goes to the cemetery but she insists she has a train to catch at three. He94 gives her the key to the cemetery and follows it up with a question on poor upbringing. The deceased s mother protests that she raised her son as a morally upright person but he was only a victim of their poverty. By this time word has done the rounds about their presence and a sizeable crowd of curious onlookers has already gathered outside the church to catch a glimpse of mother and daughter. The priests best efforts to dissuade her from walking into the crowd fail. 3. Conflict a The most noticeable conflict is between the people and the weather. The heat is extreme. On the train the oppressive nature of the weather is described in a number of ways. The air became humid and they could not feel the sea breeze any more. Pp165 By twelve the heat had begun. Pp166 The band was playing a lively tune under the oppressive sun. Pp166 A dry burning wind came in the window pp168 When they get off the train we get more descriptions of the heat: The town was floating in the heat. Pp168 The woman and the girl walked over to the shady side of the street. Pp168 It was two. At that time, weighed down by the drowsiness, the town was taking a siesta. Pp168 95 In some houses, it was so hot that the residents ate lunch in the patio. Pp168 At the parish house we are told, An electric fan was humming inside . Pp168 The priest asks the mother why she has to go to the cemetery in the heat and pleads with her to wait until the sun goes down. Pp170 The priests sister tells her that she will melt in the hot streets.


Pp168 At the parish house we are told, An electric fan was humming inside . Pp168 The priest asks the mother why she has to go to the cemetery in the heat and pleads with her to wait until the sun goes down. Pp170 The priests sister tells her that she will melt in the hot streets. Pp173 b The mourners and time When the story opens we are told that it was 11:00am. On that train trip we are continually reminded of the passage of time. By twelve, the heat had begun. Pp166 It was almost two. Pp168 This is the time they disembark from the train. At the priests house she is told to go back after three and she replies that the train leaves at three-thirty. Hers therefore is a race against time. Ironically, in her hosts town, time is of no importance, it comes to a standstill at eleven and wakes a little before four. Pp168 c The mourners and poverty The narrator tells us that the woman and her child were both in severe and poor mourning clothes. Pp165 Further, we are told that they were the only passengers in the lone third-class car. Pp165 The woman we are told bore the conscientious serenity of someone accustomed to poverty. Pp166 96 4. Character and characterisation a Bereaved mother i. Dignified Having or showing self-esteem She does not allow her poverty to result in low self-esteem. On the train she sits upright and we are told that she bore the conscientious serenity of someone accustomed to poverty. She is concerned about their looks. As they are about to disembark from the train she gives her a comb and asks her to comb her hair. She too dries the sweat from her neck and wiped the oil from her face. At the priests house she shows calm determination as she insists that she has an emergency and needs to be served. When the priest does not understand who Carlos is, she tells him that he was the thief that was killed a week ago and that she was his mother. Asked why she did raise a morally upright son, she says that she did and that he was a very good man.


At the priests house she shows calm determination as she insists that she has an emergency and needs to be served. When the priest does not understand who Carlos is, she tells him that he was the thief that was killed a week ago and that she was his mother. Asked why she did raise a morally upright son, she says that she did and that he was a very good man. He however had no work and may have moved to the plantations in search of better pasture, having lost all his teeth to boxing. The crowds that gather to stare at her make the priest and his sister very uncomfortable but not her. She tells them that she is all right and walks right into the crowd. 97 5. Themes a Human relations This is the major theme of this story. The young man died an unnecessary death. There is no hint of insecurity in the area. For 28 years she had lived alone and had never had to fire the gun. His death was not looked at as tragic because no one knew him. When the priest asks her to identify herself, she does so confidently and in precise details. This makes the priest uncomfortable he blushes . We can only infer that owing to her circumstances he had not expected her to be so dignified. The members of this community break from their languid siesta routine and move out into the streets to catch a glimpse of the mother of a thief. The priest and his sister are so scared by the scene they try to dissuade her from going out but in vain. She does not lose her self-esteem and walks out into the streets filling up with crowds of people. The bereaved mother is therefore a symbol of people who life has treated badly but do not succumb to the labels that society ascribes them. They are strong willed and dignified. B Suffering This is the other theme developed in the story. I. The bereaved mother shows a lot of stoicism as she mourns the death of her son. We are told that the priest looks at them in amazement when he realises that they were not going to cry. Pp171 98 ii. Further, she is faced with a difficult situation in which no one knows her family and against her son s alleged crime she is judged. The priest asks her whether she ever tried to get him on the right track.


Pp171 98 ii. Further, she is faced with a difficult situation in which no one knows her family and against her son s alleged crime she is judged. The priest asks her whether she ever tried to get him on the right track. The priest is evidently find fault with her parenting ability. Pp171 iii. This family cannot afford good clothing. We are told that mother and daughter were dressed in severe mourning clothes. Further, the deceased we are told used a rope for a belt and was barefoot. Iv. This family also faces discrimination. The crowds break from their routine siesta just to catch a glimpse of the deceased man s family. The priests sister is so scared she tells them that they were going to melt. The mother stoically endures the questioning stares of the people who want to see what the mother of a thief looks like. The members of this community too have their own problems. V. The heat is evidently one of the things that cause them untold suffering. They have to close down public schools, offices, and stores everyday at 11:00am and open just before 4:00pm on account of the heat. Vi. The priest too has his moment of suffering. When he asks the woman to identify herself, she does so with so much confidence that the he blushes and breaks into a sweat. His suffering stems from the fact that he had judged the woman99 badly and her sense of self-esteem is what puts him under undue pressure. 6. Style The chief style in this story is symbolism. I. The heat In its tedium, that is monotony, the heat represents the deceased s mother s life. It is very oppressive and has few choices if any. She has raised her children well telling them what is wrong and what is right. This does not however save her son from the harsh realities of life. He has to eat. He takes to boxing which to say the least only hurts her son. When he abandons this, he moves further afield only to die in search of food. She has to face the curious crowd outside the church. If she stays until the sun goes down then she will miss the 3:30pm train and she does not have the means to lodge in the town for the night. NB: What do you think the heat symbolises in the lives of the banana plantation farmers? It symbolises the loss of control of their lives.


If she stays until the sun goes down then she will miss the 3:30pm train and she does not have the means to lodge in the town for the night. NB: What do you think the heat symbolises in the lives of the banana plantation farmers? It symbolises the loss of control of their lives. The heat controls how their day is run. They routinely break at eleven and resume work at four. Nothing exciting happens nor do they create avenues for entertainment. This is why the diversion presented from their routine by the arrival of the mourners stirs them from their routine. 100 ii. The death of her son symbolises fate. The nature of his death is such that nobody could save him. He had just arrived in the town, no one knew him but he was hungry and was ignorant of the risk of knocking on people s doors in the night as a stranger. His mother accepts this reality stoically. She tells the priest that she is the mother of the thief that was killed there the previous week. She also does not question the reason for her poverty. She takes it for a fact and lives in it with dignity. She pays for third class car because that is what they can afford; it is instructive that they are the only ones in the car- it means most people can afford to pay for better transportation. It does not bother her that they are the only passengers on it. However, before they disembark she makes sure that she and her daughter are as presentable as they can be. 7. POV The story is told from a third person point of view. It is however omniscient objective. There is no comment on the characters or their thoughts. No interpretations are offered. We have to interpret the events on our own. This is good for the story because the author wants us to see things as they are. He does not wish to unduly influence our thinking. However, the details offered are sufficient to convince us that human beings are very quick to judge one another and often with very wrong conclusions being jumped to. 101 8 a Appropriateness of title The title of this story is appropriate. It is the Tuesday of August. It is a typical hot day in the calendar of the banana plantation people. They have all taken a break from the heat at 11:00am as usual and are having their siesta.


It is the Tuesday of August. It is a typical hot day in the calendar of the banana plantation people. They have all taken a break from the heat at 11:00am as usual and are having their siesta. This unfortunately will not be an ordinary siesta because an event happens that wakes them from their mid-day sleep: the mother of the slain thief is in town and everyone wants to catch a glimpse of her. So it is for them a story about a Tuesday that their siesta was interfered with. B Significant event The significant event in this story is the decision of the mother of the slain thief to visit her slain sons grave. Her trip necessitates that we learn about her economic background and why the slaying of her son was fated. C Aim of the author. The author picks a sad event in the life of a poor mother to show us how strong we can be both in adversity and grinding poverty. No one can therefore take your self-esteem from you but yourself. First we must view ourselves with pride then those around us will see our dignity. 102 Two Stories of a House by Leila Abouzeid Morocco 1. Setting This is story is set in a Moroccan town. It is told in two parts. The first part is set in a courthouse while the second part is set in the roof house of an old woman. The first setting is a very formal one with a government officer presiding and passing judgment. The second one is very informal and the two old women pass their own judgment. 2. The plot Khadija Bent Ahmed has lost the house she has lived in for over thirty years and has therefore taken the matter to court. The defendant is Meeluda Bent Albacheer, her land lady. Khadija feels that she has paid rent all those years and been of help socially to the defendant and this ought to give her ownership of the house. Meeluda on the other hand thinks that the rent was insignificant and it does not make Khadija an owner. She therefore convinced Khadija to vacate the house for renovation upon which she would return. This was not to be. Khadija s house was the first floor and to get there she had to use the stairs. Meeluda gets the repair man to destroy the stairs and the landing. Subsequently she says they cannot be repaired and that the whole house is coming down.


Khadija s house was the first floor and to get there she had to use the stairs. Meeluda gets the repair man to destroy the stairs and the landing. Subsequently she says they cannot be repaired and that the whole house is coming down. The judge s verdict: Khadija should go and take her belongings and cease to lay any claim on the property. In her devastated mood, Khadija learns of an old woman with a story similar to hers. She goes there to share her story. The woman tells her about her own tribulations which she feels are even more devastating103 than Khadija s. Her husband of over forty years had divorced her and married a girl below twenty years old. What annoys her is that she was the girl s benefactor. The girl was pregnant out of wedlock and was hiding from her brothers. Since the old woman was barren she gets into a deal with the girl that she will hide her shame and in return she would leave the child she was carrying to her. Her husband takes to the girl and marries her and then divorces the old woman. Although she keeps the two children twins their mother secretly meets them every day when the old woman is out of the house. 3. Conflict The first conflict is between Khadija and Meeluda Kahdija feels that she should own the property she has lived in for over thirty years. Her claim does not make sense. She has been a tenant and therefore she was paying for a service. This is Meeluda s argument which the judge upholds. This conflict however reveals some very important facts. Khadija also had a conflict with her husband. She feels that her husband squandered the family wealth through his generosity. He was hospitable at the expense of his family. This also brings us to another very important fact: women have no right to own property. It appears that it is the men who handle family finances. So even though Khadija knew how best to spend the family s104 resources in order to secure her future, she was not allowed to make financial decisions. This can be confirmed through the second case in which the old woman is thrown out of the house she says her sweat is in and now has nowhere to go. The second conflict is developed by the divorcee She is in conflict both with her husband and his new wife. She feels that the new wife has ruined her marriage.


This can be confirmed through the second case in which the old woman is thrown out of the house she says her sweat is in and now has nowhere to go. The second conflict is developed by the divorcee She is in conflict both with her husband and his new wife. She feels that the new wife has ruined her marriage. They had made a deal and the girl swore on the saint s tomb that she would only give birth in the old woman s house and then leave for her the child. Instead she made herself comfortable as a wife. The other conflict she develops is with her husband. She acknowledges that she has not been able to bear any children for him. However, during the period she was married to him she worked hard and they got to own a house. Now he has thrown her out of it and she is destitute. What is more is that she is in her sunshine years and does not have the strength to start all over again. Therefore she feels that her husband has treated her very unfairly. Both women develop conflict with religion. Khadija says that Meeluda swore to Mecca, and the divorcee says that the young girl swore on the saint s tomb. None of these people honoured their pledges. In khadija s case, she tells the judge that the reason she has taken long before bringing the case to his court is that she had still left the case with the saints. 105 It therefore means that her disillusionment with her religion is what finally makes her bring the case before the judge. She feels that her faith was misplaced. This is the same reaction that we get from the divorcee. She had hoped for God s reward for helping the girl but suffers a divorce instead. This makes her a very cynical woman: she says that there is no good neighbour in this world, no grateful people, and no faithful husbands. 4. Character and characterisation Khadija- unrealistic, religious Meeluda cruel Divorcee-hard working, religious Please supply illustrations that confirm these traits. 5. Themes Place of the woman in society This is the major theme in this story. This is brought to us through the experiences of two women. Khadija has a husband who is pleasure loving. She dutifully serves him as a wife but when he dies her future is not secure and there is no law to protect her from the harsh reality of life. This is why the urban setting is extremely important.


Khadija has a husband who is pleasure loving. She dutifully serves him as a wife but when he dies her future is not secure and there is no law to protect her from the harsh reality of life. This is why the urban setting is extremely important. Men cannot hope to carry on as if they are in the village and forget their obligation to their families. The divorcee too develops this theme. She swears that she worked hard as a wife and attributes the house she and her husband lived in and all the good106 things in it to her efforts, at least partly. Now in her sunshine years she is thrown out and becomes destitute. She seems to understand that justice will not be served anywhere so unlike Khadija, she does not report the matter for arbitration to any authority but simply becomes cynical of human nature. So for both women society has failed to protect them from the ill wind of the world despite their devotion to their religion and men. 6. Pov The story is told from a third person point of view. This is appropriate because it gives us an objective view of the goings on in women s lives in this society. 7. A Appropriateness of title Two Stories of a House is an interesting title. It leads us to believe that we are going to look at one house and hear two stories about it. This however is not what obtains. There are actually two houses and two stories. So why is the house in the title singular? The pains and the resulting misery to the women is the same. The author implies that take any two women in this society and you will find that they identify with each other s suffering. The title is therefore appropriate in the cry for equity. B Significant event Khadija s going to court and the divorcee becoming the village girls benefactor. 107 C Aim of the author The author is appealing for gender parity. This is a patriarchic community in which women have little or no say about their own affairs. The author thinks that this state of affairs should change. 108 THE LAW OF THE GRAZING FIELDS BY CYPRIAN EKWENSI 1. Setting This story is set among the nomadic people of West Africa. It is most likely Nigeria. What is more important though is the time. The story is set in pristine Africa before the influence of the west. It is a typical short story with the events taking place in a very short time.


Pp183 Amina and her brothers Modio was suspicious of her behaviour and therefore set a trap for her. Jama had not paid the full bride price and therefore could not yet take her. This intervening period presented Yalla with an opportunity to steal Amina. That evening Modio lays in wait with a pack of wild cattle dogs which he sets on Yalla and then grabs Amina. He takes her back to the hut swearing that she was going nowhere but Jama s. Her elder brother disturbed by this incident begins to plan how they were to escort her when the time finally came. He says he would ride behind her because she could not be trusted after what she had been through with Modio. Amina and Jama She is averse to marrying him because he does not fit the stereotype male of the community. This is supposed to be the masculine type that would protect their families from attack by wild animals. According to her he is weak-kneed and110 effeminate. He had failed the flogging test. She says that he had wept and begged as they flogged him at the sharo. She would be an embarrassment to her if she married him. Her brothers and Yalla They knew he was planning to elope with Amina. This is why Modio kept vigil. When he finally gets the girl they run after them and the brothers are not afraid to use poisoned arrows if only to get their sister back and take her to Jama. When he finally beats them to his hut, they tell him that their father will know no rest until Yalla will have compensated for his cattle. Pp189 Finally they acknowledge defeat. One of the brothers says that Yalla is a man. He set fire to their camp, stole their sister and then called them thieves for taking back their horse that they had saddled for another bridegroom. 4. Character and characterisation Amina-strong willed, determined, proud Yalla-courageous, determined, humorous, loving Get your illustrations to prove the above traits. 5. Themes a Tradition This is the most important theme in this story. We learn about the culture of these pastoralists in relation to marriage. I. First there is the law of the grazing fields. A man may elope with a woman of his choice as long as he is not caught. Ii. A man must complete the payment of dowry before he could take his wife.


A man may elope with a woman of his choice as long as he is not caught. Ii. A man must complete the payment of dowry before he could take his wife. They were waiting for Jama to111 deliver the last instalment of his dowry before they could hand Amina over to him. Iii. Men had to be tested to determine their suitability for marriage. The stage for doing this was a ceremony called sharo in which the man would be flogged in public to determine how well he bore pain. Those who wept and begged during the flogging lost favour in the eyes of potential brides. Iv. Parents arranged marriage for their daughters. Amina s father had first accepted the bride price then told her about it. She was not expected to have a say and that is why her brothers were trying to enforce the will of their father. B Love Another theme developed in this story is love. This is a story of passion. Nothing would stop Yalla from marrying the woman he loved. She says that he was strong enough to break stubborn bulls but when he smiled and held her in his hands his face was so gentle and sweet. When they are in Yalla s settlement and he points his hut out to her, she says: Our hut you mean . She tells Modio when he stops her from eloping: This night I will be with Yalla. He s the husband I ve chosen. Yalla on his part has suffered to get this woman to be his wife. He endured the pack of wild cattle dogs and later a poisoned arrow. Despite the poison he takes time to acknowledge Amina when he gets them to his house: My wife! He moaned. Mine at last. 112 6. Style a Flashback It is through flashback that we learn why Amina is opposed to marrying Jama. He had wept and begged when flogged. We also learn of how they had set to elope through a flashback. Yalla was to make scratching sounds to indicate his presence. It is also thorough flashback that we learn of the huge dowry that Jama is paying. B Image The image of a hawk has been used twice in this story. The first time it is used with reference to Modio. He crouches before her with hands curved like the claws of a hawk about to strike. In this instance the hawk is playing a protective role.


The resulting strikes bring about violence and unemployment. Another important factor worth mentioning is the contrast in the weather. The Namibia she leaves is hot and dry which agrees with the political heat created by the oppressive regime. The England she visits is in the middle of winter and is therefore equally oppressive. 2. The plot The story opens with Angelika s visit to Birmingham. We are told that it was the town of her liberation. We learn that she is in the UK courtesy of her church. She has been sent there to learn English. So bad is the situation at home that it is only churches that are setting up projects to improve the lot of the people. It is in one such project the Angelica and her husband work. It is a day care centre for children whose mothers have to go to work but have nobody to leave them with. Besides studying English, she hopes to take a course in Community Studies that would help her run the day care centre. 115 Her friend Tembi, a Namibian nurse studying in UK, encourages her to avail herself of the medical expertise in the UK to find out why she can t have children and perhaps even have the problem remedied. Her visit to the hospital reveals that she had been stirilised. She says this was done without her knowledge by the military doctors who had removed her appendix. The sympathetic doctors in Birmingham tell her that although the operation is considered permanent they had carried out a few reversals successfully. They are cautious though and tell her that there are no guarantees that her case too would be a success. She consents to the operation nonetheless. Again the church bears the cost of the operation. Naturally she has to travel back home to meet with her husband to determine the success of the operation. Here too the church meets the cost. She returns to Birmingham and anxiously waits for her to find out whether she is lucky. Her periods do not come and this is a good sign. She shares this news only with Tembi for fear of raising people s expectations too high. Her luck holds out and finally it was evident to all that she was pregnant. It is only then that she informs her husband. She continued with her studies as she carried the pregnancy to term. Six months after her baby was born she bids farewell to her benefactors and heads back home. 3. Conflict a The conflict with weather is very important. It develops the theme of suffering in the story.


She tells that it is God who helped her as always. This is in reference to the surgery that she undergoes to correct her sterilisation. B. Hardworking Every day she looked after 80 preschoolers at the children s centre that she ran. Their mothers dropped them in the early hours and collected them when it began to turn dark. C. Realistic When it became obvious that she was not going to have children of her own, she adopted three girls from her husband s family. D. Forgiving When it became clear that she had been sterilised by white doctors without her consent, her friends wished to write letters to the newspapers and contact the UN to object to the malicious behaviour of the white doctors. She objected to this approach. Clearly she118 felt no bitterness towards the people who had wronged her. E. Secretive Upon missing her periods, she did not readily tell the people around her. Further, she only went to the doctor s after 7 weeks. What is more, she did not dare tell her husband for fear that something might go wrong. The only person she told was Tembi whom she asked not to tell anyone. 5. Themes a. Human rights abuses i. Forced sterilisation A number of women are sterilised by white doctors without their consent. Angelika is one such woman. Further, she says that she thought of the other women it must have happened to who neither knew nor had the chance to reverse their enforced childlessness. Ii. Oppression Political leaders were detained, tortured or forced into exile. Iii. Forced resettlement The natives had been resettled into remote reserves. The narrator says that the village had been pushed into the rocky hills by colonial settlement. B. Friendship i. Church The church is responsible for a number of humanitarian assistance. The narrator says that as the South African rule oppressed the119 people of Namibia, it is only the churches that could set up projects to help the people. Further, the church met the cost of Angelika s education, treatment and travel expenses. We are told that they offered assistance from an emergency fund so she could give birth in Birmingham and continue her studies afterwards. Ii. The people of Namibia The narrator tells us that the people survived the traumatising experiences because of their solidarity.


We are told that they offered assistance from an emergency fund so she could give birth in Birmingham and continue her studies afterwards. Ii. The people of Namibia The narrator tells us that the people survived the traumatising experiences because of their solidarity. She says that survival came through mutual support, through solidarity within the communities and within the families: helping people who did not have enough food, caring for those who were sick, looking out for each other s children. Iii. Tembi We are told that it was Tembi who began to show Angelika around to ensure that she did not spend too much time alone in her room. Further, she is the one who suggested that Angelika seeks proper treatment. As a result, Angelika found out that she had been sterilised without her consent, but what is more the doctors were able to reverse her condition which was thought to be permanent. Iv. The people of England Angelika visits England at a time they were facing labour unrest. The administration was120 harsh and the police charged on protestors. She says that the people sent parcels of food across the country to the places that the strike held out the longest. 6. A. Appropriateness of title The title is appropriate. The white hands that are talked about were responsible for both the suffering and joy of the protagonist. It is the malicious white doctors in South Africa who sterilised her without her consent. This was a supremacist statement. If they could stop the blacks from reproducing, then the superior white race would have the country to themselves. Ironically, it is the white doctors in England who identify the reason why she cannot conceive and correct the problem through surgery. B. Significant event The significant event in this story is the sterilisation of Angelika by the white doctors in Windhoek. C. Aim of the author This is a sad story that uses contrast to show that both evil and well-meaning people exist. A group of people should therefore not be condemned because one of them has acted out of line, rather we should judge individuals by their strengths and weaknesses. The strong121 message is therefore one of tolerance and building friendships. Task Q 1 Friendship helps overcome adversity. Using Angelica s experiences both in Namibia and England show that this is true. Give illustrations from Jame Katjavivi s White Hands. 122 Thank you very much for the purchase of this eBook. I hope enjoyed reading it and that it did add value to your teaching learning.


Give illustrations from Jame Katjavivi s White Hands.122 Thank you very much for the purchase of this eBook. I hope enjoyed reading it and that it did add value to your teaching learning. Walter Akach PS: If there ever is a need to wish to share your thoughts about this work feel free to drop me a word at walterakach gmail.com.


WhenCoyotitoshakestheropeofthehangingbox,thescorpionfalls,landsonhisshoulder,andstingshim. Kinoimmediatelyseizesthecreatureandcrushesitinhisgrasp,beatingittodeathonthefloorforgoodmeasure. Kino sretributiondoesnogood,though,andCoyotitoscreamswithpain. JuanagrabsCoyotitoatonceandattemptstosuckthevenomoutofhisfesteringwound. Thechild swailingsummonsseveralneighborstoKino sdoorstep,includingKino sbrother,JuanTom s,andJuanTom s swife,Apolonia. AsCoyotito scriesdiminishintomoans,JuanaasksKinotosummonthedoctor. Sucharequestsurprisestheneighborssincethedoctorhasnevervisitedthepoorclusterofbrushhouses. ThedoctorbelongstothesocialclassoftheSpanishcolonistsoftheregion,aclassfarabovethatofpoornativessuchasKinoandJuana. WhenKinoexpressesdoubtthatthedoctorwillcometoCoyotito,JuanaresolvestotakeCoyotitotothedoctor. KinoandJuanasetoutforthecenteroftown,theirneighborstrailingbehindthem. Nearthecenteroftown,morepeoplefollow,curioustoseetheoutcomeofapoorman spleatoarichdoctor. Arrivingatthedoctor shouse,Kinoknocksatthegate. Hebothfearsandresentsthedoctor,apowerfulmannotofhisownpeople. Presently,thegateopenstorevealoneofKino sownpeople,employedinthedoctor sservice. KinoexplainsthedetailsofCoyotito sinjuryinhisnativetongue;themanignoresKino suseofthenativelanguageandrespondsinSpanish. HetellsKinotowaitwhilehegoestospeakwiththedoctor. Indoors,thedoctorsitsupinbed,surroundedbyluxuries. HefeastsonbiscuitsandhotchocolateandthinksnostalgicallyofParis. Whentheservantinterruptsthedoctor sreverietoannounceKino svisit,thedoctorbitterlydemandstoknowifKinohasmoneytopayforthetreatment. Kinogivestheservanteightsmallpearls,butsoontheservantreturnstoKinowiththem,explainingthatthedoctorhasbeencalledouttoattendtoaseriouscase. Withthisdismissal,theprocessionbreaksup,leavingKinofuriousandashamed. Standinginshockinfrontoftheclosedgate,Kinostrikesoutinanger,smashinghisfistintothebarrierandbloodyinghisknuckles. AnalysisAsitsshort,simplesentencesandheavilysymbolicmoralovertonesmakeevident, ThePearl isbasedontheformofbiblicalparable,andthesimplenaturalbeautyoftheopeningscenerecallsthebeautyandinnocenceoftheGardenofEdenbeforeAdamandEve sfall. Thoughthecomparisonisnotmadeexplicitly,itisneverthelessanaptone likeAdamandEve,KinoandJuanamakechoiceslaterinthestorythatcausethemtolosetheirinnocenceandforcethemtoleavetheirparadiseforthehardshipsofthewiderworld. TheclusterofbrushhousesbytheseawhereKinoandJuanalivefunctionsasakindofparadise,inwhichmanandwomanlivetogetherinastateofnature. Steinbeckfocusesonthefamily srusticsimplicityandonitsreverenceforahigherpower. Steinbeckusesrepetitiouslanguage,whichevokestheBibleandotherreligiousliterature,tounderscorethefamily sspirituality. ThisscripturalstructureisespeciallyevidentinSteinbeck sfrequentuseoftheword and todrivethenarrative: Andagoatcamenearandsniffedathim ; Andtherhythmofthefamilysongwasthegrindingstone ; Andhedrankalittlepulqueandthatwasbreakfast. Kino sknowledgeoftheworldisnotexpansive,buthisstoreoftraditionalsongsandhiscontented,familiarmannerofsurveyinghismeagerterritoryshowthatheisintimatelyacquaintedwitheveryaspectoftheexistenceheknows. Kinofrequentlyhearstraditionalsongsinhisheadthatexpresshismoodorhissenseofhisenvironment whenheiscontentathomeinthischapter,hehearsthesoothingrhythmsoftheSongoftheFamily,forinstance,butwhenheisintroublelaterinthenovellahehearsthealarmingSongofDanger. Kino sinnersoundtrackhighlights ThePearl soriginalconceptionasafilmproject theaudiencewouldactuallyhaveheardthesesongsandexperiencedthemasrecurringmotifs. ItalsopointstotheoralnatureofKino sculture,inwhichsongsarepasseddownfromgenerationtogenerationandassumesuchapositionofpsychologicalimportancethattheyactuallyprovideaninternalcontextwithoutwhichKinoisunabletointerprethisownfeelings. SteinbeckseemstosuggestthattheimminentdisruptionofKino sEden,liketheharmonythatprecedesit,istheworkofadivinepower. LikeKino,whoobservestheantsasthoughhewereadetachedGod,theGodwatchingoverKino andindeedallhumanityinthetext showsindifferencetothecruelcombinationofsuccessesandfailuresthatpeopleencounter. AsKinosurveysthesurroundingsofhisbrushhouse,wilddovesflyandruffledroostersfight,symbolizingthewaygoodandevilhaphazardlycommingle. ThescorpionthatbringsterrorintoKino shouseholdrepresentstheworkofadivineagent. InChristianliterature,scorpionstraditionallysymbolizeevil,andthestreakofsunlightthatfallsonthescorpionasitrestsonthehangingboxropeseemsaheavenlyspotlight,settingthedramainmotion. WiththeSongofEvildrowningouttheSongofFamily,Kinomusttakecontrolofhisfamily sdestinyafterthisunkindtwistoffate. Steinbeck swritingevincescontemptforthetowndoctor,whosurroundshimselfwiththevulgartrappingsofEuropean civilizedliving. ToSteinbeck,thedoctor snotionofcivilizationisutterlymaterialisticanddevoidofthecomplexspiritualitysointegraltoKinoandJuana slife. Nevertheless,thedoctor sbarbaricbeliefsholdswayinthiscolonialcontext,andthedividebetweenrichandpoorseemsraciallyandinflexiblydefined. Thedoctor sservant,asanativeemployedbyacolonial,demonstratesthedividebetweentheworldofthedoctorthatofKinoandJuana. TheservantisoverlyofficialandspeaksSpanishwhenreceivingKinoandJuana,underscoringthesocialdifferencesbetweenKinoandthedoctor. Hedoes,however,reverttotheirnativelanguageinamoresympatheticmoment. Whiletheservantpossessesthecapacitytomove linguisticallyandotherwise betweentwodisparateworlds,thecolonialdoctorpossessesneitherthelinguisticabilitynorthedesiretodoso. ThoughKinodesirestocrossbetweenthetwoworldstoo,heisunabletodoso. Thispowerlessnessrendershisindignationatthedoctor srefusaltotreatCoyotitoirrelevant,sincehehasnoproductivemeanstoexpressthisindignation. PlotAnalysisThepearl:chapter2Chapter2SummaryButthepearlswereaccidents,andthefindingofonewasluck,alittlepatonthebackbyGodorthegodsorboth. Ontheshoresoftheestuary,asetofblueandwhitecanoessitsinthesand. Crabsandlobsterspokeoutfromtheirholes,andalgaeandseahorsesdriftaimlesslyinthenearbycurrents. Dogsandpigsscavengetheshorelineforseadriftinthehazymorning. Amidthisscene, Kino and Juana walkdownthebeachtoKino scanoe. Theyaregoingtosearchforpearls,desperatelyhopingtofindapearlofsufficientvaluetopersuadethedoctortotreatthepoisonedCoyotito. Thecanoe,anheirloompasseddowntoKinofromhispaternalgrandfather,isKino ssoleassetintheworld. Kinolayshisblanketinitsbow. JuanarestsCoyotitoupontheblanketandplaceshershawloverhimtoprotecthimfromthesun. Shethenwadesintothewaterandcollectssomeseaweed,whichsheappliesgentlytoCoyotito swound. KinoandJuanaslidethecanoeintothewater,Juanaclimbsin,andKinopushestheboatawayfromshore. OnceKinoboards,thetwobeginpaddlingouttoseainsearchofpearls. Inashorttime,theycomeuponothercanoes,whichhaveclusteredaroundthenearestoysterbed. Kinomakesadivetocollectoysters,whileJuanastaysinthecanoe,prayingforluck. Hestaysunderwaterforovertwominutes,gatheringthelargestshells,includingoneespeciallyenormousoysterthathasa ghostlygleam. Climbingbackintothecanoe,Kinoisreluctanttoexaminethelargestoysterfirst. Afterhalfheartedlypawingatasmallerone,eagernessovercomeshim,andJuanasoftlyurgeshimtoopentheprizecatch. Kinocutstheshellopentorevealthebiggestpearlthateitherofthemhaseverseen. Nearlybreathless,JuanashrieksinastonishmenttofindthatCoyotito swoundhasimprovedinthepresenceofthegreatpearl. Kino,overcomewithemotion,tenseshisentirebodyandletsoutaresoundingyell. Startledbythisunexpecteddisplay,theothercanoesquicklyracetowardKinoandJuanatouncoverthesourceofthecommotion. AnalysisThePearl:Plotanalysis. Chapter3SummaryMysonwillreadandopenthebooks...hewillknowandthroughhimwewillknow....Thisiswhatthepearlwilldo. Wordof Kino sdiscoverytravelsquickly. EvenbeforeKinoreturnstohisbrushhouse,everyoneintownknowsthathehasfound thePearloftheWorld. Throughouttown,peopleofeveryclass fromthebeggartothebusinessmantothepriest dreamofhowKino spearlcanhelpthem. Likeeveryoneelse,thedoctorwhoturnedKinoawaydesiresthepearl. Ignorantofothers jealousy,Kinoand Juana delightintheirgoodfortune,invitingfamilyandfriendstosharetheirjoyintheirnewfoundtreasure. WhenJuanTom sasksKinowhathewilldowithhiswealth,Kinodetailshisplans:apropermarriageinthechurch,newclothingforthefamily,aharpoon,andarifle,amongotherthings. Kino snewboldnessamazesJuana,especiallywhenheexpresseshisdesireforCoyotitotobesenttoschoolandeducated. Kinohimselfissurprisedsomewhatbyhisownresolutestatement,andalloftheneighborsstareatthemightypearlwithamixtureofhopeandfearattheenormouschangesthatlieahead. Asduskapproaches,Juanarevivesthefire,andtheneighborsoverstaytheirwelcome. Neardark,thepriestcomestodeliverabenediction. Oncehehasblessedthehousehold,heaskstoseethepearl. Dazzled,thepriestimploresKinotorememberthechurchinhisnewprosperity. Juanaannouncestheirintentiontobemarriedinthechurch,andthepriestleavesthemwithakindword. AsenseofevilovercomesKinointhewakeofthepriest svisit. Theneighborsdispersetotheirownsuppers,andJuanabeginstoprepareamealofbakedbeans. Kinohuddlesbeneathablanketinthecoldnight,keepingthepearlclosetohisbody. Plaguedwithcontinuedillfeeling,Kinomeditatesontheformersecurityofhisfamily,andonthemenacinguncertaintyintowhichtheirnewfoundfortunehascastthem. Fromthedoorofhisbrushhouse,Kinowatchestwomenapproach. Thefiguresprovetobethedoctorandhisservant,whohavecometoexamineCoyotito swound. Kinobrusquelydismissesthedoctor sattentions,butwhenthedoctormakesasinisterinsinuationaboutthelingeringpotentialforinfection,Kinorelentsandallowshimtoenter. Juanaisextremelysuspiciousofthedoctor,butKinoreassuresher. WhenthedoctorexaminesCoyotito,hecontendsthathehasfoundevidenceofcomplicationsandproducesacapsuleofmedicationthatheproceedstoadminister. Claimingthatthepoisonwillstrikewithinanhourandthatthemedicinemayprovelifesaving,thedoctordeclaresthathewillreturninanhourtocheckonCoyotito sprogress. AsJuanastaresatCoyotitowithconcern,Kinorealizesthathehasbeencarelessinnotguardingthepearl. Withoutdelay,hewrapsthepearlinarag,digsahole,andburiesthepearlinacornerofthebrushhouse,concealingthehidingplacefromview. AsKinoeatshissupper,asmallblackpuppylingersinthedoorwayandshakesitstailnervously. Afterward,JuanaalertsKinothatCoyotito sconditionisgrowingworse,andshesingssoothinglyinanefforttocomfortthebaby. WhenCoyotit. Obecomesvisiblyill,anevilfeelingfillsKinoonceagain. Theneighborslearnquicklyofthedoctor svisitandCoyotito ssubsequentdecline,andtheyreconveneatKino shousetoprovidesupport. Thedoctorreappears,andaswiftlyadministeredpotionsetsCoyotitotorest. ThedoctorinnocuouslyaskswhenKinomightbeabletopayhim. Kinoexplainsthatoncehehassoldhismostvaluablepearlhewillbeabletopay. Feigningignoranceaboutthepearl,thedoctorofferstokeepitinhissafe,butKinodeclinestheoffer,explainingthatheintendstosellthepearlinthemorning. Thedoctorexpressesconcernthatthepearlmightbestolen,andKinoinadvertentlyglanceswithfearatthecornerwherethepearlisburied. Later,whenthedoctorandneighborsdepartanditistimetosleep,Kinopacesaboutthehouseanxiously,listeningvigilantlyforthreateningnoises. Inafitofprecaution,hedigsupthepearlandreburiesitbeneathhissleepingmat. Finally,Kino,Juana,andCoyotitocurluptogetheronthematandattempttosleeppeacefully. Atfirst,KinodreamsofCoyotito sfuturesuccess,buttheevilfeelingreturnsandquicklyovertakeshim. Hestirsrestlessly,wakingJuana. Hewakesandhearsanintruderinthehouse,coweringandscratchinginthecorner,clearlyinsearchofthepearl. Grabbinghisknife,Kinoleapsintothecornerandstruggleswiththeintruder,stabbingathimwildly. Afteraviolentscuffle,theintruderflees,leavingKinobloodiedasJuanacallsouttohiminterror. Regaininghersenses,sheswiftlypreparesasalveforKino sbruisedforehead. AsshetendsKino swounds,Juanarailsagainstthepearl,callingitanevilplagueuponthem. Kinoremainsadamantaboutthepearl svirtue,insistingthatitwillbetheirroadtosalvation. Juanadisagrees,declaringthatitwilldestroytheirentirefamily. AsKinohushesher,henoticesaspotofbloodonhisknife,whichheremoves. Withdawnapproaching,hesettlesdowntolookathispearl. Initsluminescence,Kinoseeshisfamily schanceforthefuture,andsmiles. Juanasmileswithhim,andtheymeetthedaywithhope. Analysis Though ThePearl snarrativeseemstosuggestthatgreedisthefirststeptodestruction,inthischapterSteinbeckfocusesnotongreedbutonambition Kino sdesiretousethewealthofferedbythepearltobetterhislifeandthelifeofhisfamily. Steinbeckportraysthiskindofbenevolentdesireforadvancementasatraituniquetohumanity,onethathasmadehumankindsuperiortoallanimals. Kino sneighborshavetroublefiguringwhetherKino sambitionwillbringhimsuccessorsuffering. Theytooareintoxicatedbytheawe-inspiringprospectofKinoowningarifleorCoyotitoreceivinganeducation,butthesepropositionsaresofarremovedfromtheirsenseofwhatispossiblethattheyreacttothemwithanaturalsuspicion. Theneighborsareonlyabletothinkaboutthepearlintermsoftheirpreexistingnarratives. Becausetheyhaveanancientlegendaboutagreat PearlThatMightBe, theybelievethatthatlegendhascometofruitioninKino spearl,whichtheydubthe PearloftheWorld. TheydonotconceiveofthepearlassimplyavaluableluckybreakforKino;forthem,thepearlhasdeepmoralandspiritualsignificance. Byrelatingthestoriestheneighborstrade,Steinbeckshowshowthehumanmindturnsrealexperienceintoparablethroughtheactofstorytelling.


Ontheshoresoftheestuary,asetofblueandwhitecanoessitsinthesand. Crabsandlobsterspokeoutfromtheirholes,andalgaeandseahorsesdriftaimlesslyinthenearbycurrents. Dogsandpigsscavengetheshorelineforseadriftinthehazymorning. Amidthisscene, Kino and Juana walkdownthebeachtoKino scanoe. Theyaregoingtosearchforpearls,desperatelyhopingtofindapearlofsufficientvaluetopersuadethedoctortotreatthepoisonedCoyotito. Thecanoe,anheirloompasseddowntoKinofromhispaternalgrandfather,isKino ssoleassetintheworld. Kinolayshisblanketinitsbow. JuanarestsCoyotitoupontheblanketandplaceshershawloverhimtoprotecthimfromthesun. Shethenwadesintothewaterandcollectssomeseaweed,whichsheappliesgentlytoCoyotito swound. KinoandJuanaslidethecanoeintothewater,Juanaclimbsin,andKinopushestheboatawayfromshore. OnceKinoboards,thetwobeginpaddlingouttoseainsearchofpearls. Inashorttime,theycomeuponothercanoes,whichhaveclusteredaroundthenearestoysterbed. Kinomakesadivetocollectoysters,whileJuanastaysinthecanoe,prayingforluck. Hestaysunderwaterforovertwominutes,gatheringthelargestshells,includingoneespeciallyenormousoysterthathasa ghostlygleam. Climbingbackintothecanoe,Kinoisreluctanttoexaminethelargestoysterfirst. Afterhalfheartedlypawingatasmallerone,eagernessovercomeshim,andJuanasoftlyurgeshimtoopentheprizecatch. Kinocutstheshellopentorevealthebiggestpearlthateitherofthemhaseverseen. Nearlybreathless,JuanashrieksinastonishmenttofindthatCoyotito swoundhasimprovedinthepresenceofthegreatpearl. Kino,overcomewithemotion,tenseshisentirebodyandletsoutaresoundingyell. Startledbythisunexpecteddisplay,theothercanoesquicklyracetowardKinoandJuanatouncoverthesourceofthecommotion. AnalysisThePearl:Plotanalysis. Chapter3SummaryMysonwillreadandopenthebooks...hewillknowandthroughhimwewillknow....Thisiswhatthepearlwilldo. Wordof Kino sdiscoverytravelsquickly. EvenbeforeKinoreturnstohisbrushhouse,everyoneintownknowsthathehasfound thePearloftheWorld. Throughouttown,peopleofeveryclass fromthebeggartothebusinessmantothepriest dreamofhowKino spearlcanhelpthem. Likeeveryoneelse,thedoctorwhoturnedKinoawaydesiresthepearl. Ignorantofothers jealousy,Kinoand Juana delightintheirgoodfortune,invitingfamilyandfriendstosharetheirjoyintheirnewfoundtreasure. WhenJuanTom sasksKinowhathewilldowithhiswealth,Kinodetailshisplans:apropermarriageinthechurch,newclothingforthefamily,aharpoon,andarifle,amongotherthings. Kino snewboldnessamazesJuana,especiallywhenheexpresseshisdesireforCoyotitotobesenttoschoolandeducated. Kinohimselfissurprisedsomewhatbyhisownresolutestatement,andalloftheneighborsstareatthemightypearlwithamixtureofhopeandfearattheenormouschangesthatlieahead. Asduskapproaches,Juanarevivesthefire,andtheneighborsoverstaytheirwelcome. Neardark,thepriestcomestodeliverabenediction. Oncehehasblessedthehousehold,heaskstoseethepearl. Dazzled,thepriestimploresKinotorememberthechurchinhisnewprosperity. Juanaannouncestheirintentiontobemarriedinthechurch,andthepriestleavesthemwithakindword. AsenseofevilovercomesKinointhewakeofthepriest svisit. Theneighborsdispersetotheirownsuppers,andJuanabeginstoprepareamealofbakedbeans. Kinohuddlesbeneathablanketinthecoldnight,keepingthepearlclosetohisbody. Plaguedwithcontinuedillfeeling,Kinomeditatesontheformersecurityofhisfamily,andonthemenacinguncertaintyintowhichtheirnewfoundfortunehascastthem. Fromthedoorofhisbrushhouse,Kinowatchestwomenapproach. Thefiguresprovetobethedoctorandhisservant,whohavecometoexamineCoyotito swound. Kinobrusquelydismissesthedoctor sattentions,butwhenthedoctormakesasinisterinsinuationaboutthelingeringpotentialforinfection,Kinorelentsandallowshimtoenter. Juanaisextremelysuspiciousofthedoctor,butKinoreassuresher. WhenthedoctorexaminesCoyotito,hecontendsthathehasfoundevidenceofcomplicationsandproducesacapsuleofmedicationthatheproceedstoadminister. Claimingthatthepoisonwillstrikewithinanhourandthatthemedicinemayprovelifesaving,thedoctordeclaresthathewillreturninanhourtocheckonCoyotito sprogress. AsJuanastaresatCoyotitowithconcern,Kinorealizesthathehasbeencarelessinnotguardingthepearl. Withoutdelay,hewrapsthepearlinarag,digsahole,andburiesthepearlinacornerofthebrushhouse,concealingthehidingplacefromview. AsKinoeatshissupper,asmallblackpuppylingersinthedoorwayandshakesitstailnervously. Afterward,JuanaalertsKinothatCoyotito sconditionisgrowingworse,andshesingssoothinglyinanefforttocomfortthebaby. WhenCoyotitobecomesvisiblyill,anevilfeelingfillsKinoonceagain. Theneighborslearnquicklyofthedoctor svisitandCoyotito ssubsequentdecline,andtheyreconveneatKino shousetoprovidesupport. Thedoctorreappears,andaswiftlyadministeredpotionsetsCoyotitotorest. ThedoctorinnocuouslyaskswhenKinomightbeabletopayhim. Kinoexplainsthatoncehehassoldhismostvaluablepearlhewillbeabletopay. Feigningignoranceaboutthepearl,thedoctorofferstokeepitinhissafe,butKinodeclinestheoffer,explainingthatheintendstosellthepearlinthemorning. Thedoctorexpressesconcernthatthepearlmightbestolen,andKinoinadvertentlyglanceswithfearatthecornerwherethepearlisburied. Later,whenthedoctorandneighborsdepartanditistimetosleep,Kinopacesaboutthehouseanxiously,listeningvigilantlyforthreateningnoises. Inafitofprecaution,hedigsupthepearlandreburiesitbeneathhissleepingmat. Finally,Kino,Juana,andCoyotitocurluptogetheronthematandattempttosleeppeacefully. Atfirst,KinodreamsofCoyotito sfuturesuccess,buttheevilfeelingreturnsandquicklyovertakeshim. Hestirsrestlessly,wakingJuana. Hewakesandhearsanintruderinthehouse,coweringandscratchinginthecorner,clearlyinsearchofthepearl. Grabbinghisknife,Kinoleapsintothecornerandstruggleswiththeintruder,stabbingathimwildly. Afteraviolentscuffle,theintruderflees,leavingKinobloodiedasJuanacallsouttohiminterror. Regaininghersenses,sheswiftlypreparesasalveforKino sbruisedforehead. AsshetendsKino swounds,Juanarailsagainstthepearl,callingitanevilplagueuponthem. Kinoremainsadamantaboutthepearl svirtue,insistingthatitwillbetheirroadtosalvation. Juanadisagrees,declaringthatitwilldestroytheirentirefamily. AsKinohushesher,henoticesaspotofbloodonhisknife,whichheremoves. Withdawnapproaching,hesettlesdowntolookathispearl. Initsluminescence,Kinoseeshisfamily schanceforthefuture,andsmiles. Juanasmileswithhim,andtheymeetthedaywithhope. Analysis Though ThePearl snarrativeseemstosuggestthatgreedisthefirststeptodestruction,inthischapterSteinbeckfocusesnotongreedbutonambition Kino sdesiretousethewealthofferedbythepearltobetterhislifeandthelifeofhisfamily. Steinbeckportraysthiskindofbenevolentdesireforadvancementasatraituniquetohumanity,onethathasmadehumankindsuperiortoallanimals. Kino sneighborshavetroublefiguringwhetherKino sambitionwillbringhimsuccessorsuffering. Theytooareintoxicatedbytheawe-inspiringprospectofKinoowningarifleorCoyotitoreceivinganeducation,butthesepropositionsaresofarremovedfromtheirsenseofwhatispossiblethattheyreacttothemwithanaturalsuspicion. Theneighborsareonlyabletothinkaboutthepearlintermsoftheirpreexistingnarratives. Becausetheyhaveanancientlegendaboutagreat PearlThatMightBe, theybelievethatthatlegendhascometofruitioninKino spearl,whichtheydubthe PearloftheWorld. TheydonotconceiveofthepearlassimplyavaluableluckybreakforKino;forthem,thepearlhasdeepmoralandspiritualsignificance. Byrelatingthestoriestheneighborstrade,Steinbeckshowshowthehumanmindturnsrealexperienceintoparablethroughtheactofstorytelling. Forus,theneighbors suspicionofKino sgoodfortuneseemsjustified,basedonSteinbeck stentativetoneandonhisremarksthatthegodsdisregardmen splansandonlyallowmensuccessifitcomesbyaccident. Steinbeckassertsthatwhenhumanagencyactuallydoesbringaboutsuccess throughtheexerciseofabenevolentambitionlikeKino s,forexample , thegodstaketheirrevengeonaman. Inthisway,SteinbeckcompletelynegatesthevaluesystemoftheAmericandream. Hardworkandopennesstoopportunity,themaincomponentsofthetraditionalAmericandream,aremeaninglessinamalevolentuniverseinwhich thegods conspireagainsteveryindividual sdesiretoimprovehisorherlotinlife. Becausehispearlisworthsomuchmoney,Kinobelievesitoffershimachancetorealizehisambitiousdreamsandfreehimselffromtheshacklesofcolonialism. ButwhatkeepsKinofromfulfillinghisambitionsishislackofknowledge. Kinomaybeabletopaythedoctortohealhisson,butheisignorantastowhetherheismakingtherightchoice perhapsthedoctorisinfactpoisoninghisson. Kinoiswellawareofhispredicament,andhisdesireforhissontoobtainaneducationshowsKino srecognitionthateducationprovidestheonlypossibleescapefromcolonialoppression. Butinhissingle-mindedpursuitofsuccessandwealthforhisson,Kinoabandonsthenurturingaspectsofhisfatherlyduty. KinoleavesJuanaalonetocarefortheailingCoyotitowhilehe,Kino,focuseshisattentionsonfindingaplacetoconcealthepearl. AsKinoshiftshisfocustoprovidingforhissoninmaterialratherthanemotionalways,hemakesacorrespondingshiftfrompeacefulcoexistenceinhisvillagetoviolent,paranoidsuspicionofhisneighbors. NowthatKinohasacquiredwealth,heisobligatedtodefendthatwealthfrompotentialusurpers. Ultimately,thisshiftinpreoccupationdemonstratesthatwealthhasadehumanizingeffectonthosewhopossessit,suchasthedoctorandKino,andonthosewhodesireit,suchastheintruderwhocomestostealthepearl. Theintruderisdescribedinvague,inhumantermsthatportrayhimasanunidentifiablemassofclothing. Kinoevenreferstohimas thething, asthoughhewereaplaguesentagainstKinoratherthananotherhumanbeing. Atthispointinthestory,however,onlyJuanaseemstorecognizethatthepearlisanevilinstrumentthatwillbringherfamilypainandheartache. Thepearl:Chapter4PlotAnalysisSummaryWordspreadsthroughoutthetownofLaPazthat Kino willbesellinghisgreatpearl. Thepearlbuyersareespeciallyexcited,andthepearlfishersabandontheirworkforthedaytowitnessthetransaction. Overbreakfastthatmorning,thebrush-houseneighborhoodteemswithspeculationandopinion. Kino, Juana,andCoyotitoweartheirbestclothesfortheoccasion,andKinodonshishatwithcare,anxioustoappearaserious,vigorousmanoftheworld. AsKinoandJuanasetoutfromtheirbrushhouse,theneighborsfallinlinebehindthem. JuanTom swalksatthefrontwithKinoandexpresseshisconcernthatKinomaybecheated,asKinohasnostandardoftruecomparisontoknowwhathispearlisworth. Kinoacknowledgesthisproblembutaddsthattheyhavenowayofsolvingit. JuanTom stellsKinothatanothersystemofpearl. -sellingusedtoexistbeforeKinowasborn. Pearlerswouldgivetheirpearlstoagentsforsaleinthecapital,butasaresultoftherampantcorruptionofpearlagentswhostolethepearlsmeantforsale,theoldsystemisnolongerinplace. Kinopointsoutthataccordingtothechurch,suchasystemmustfail,asitrepresentsavaineffortonthepartofthepearlerstoexceedtheirstationinlife. KinoandJuanTom swalkoninsilenceintothecity,drawingstaresfromassembledonlookers. AsKino,JuanTom s,andtheattendingcrowdapproach,thepearldealersscrambletoputtheirofficesinorder,hidingtheirlittlepearlsandpreparingtomakeoffers. Thefirstdealerisashort,slickmanwhonervouslyrollsacoinbackandforthinhishand. Heexplainsafteracarefulexaminationthatthepearlisworthlessbecauseofitsabnormallylargesize. Declaringitmoreofamuseumcuriositythanamarketcommodity,thedealermakesanoffhandbidofonethousandpesos. Kinoreactsangrilytothislowballofferandinsiststhatthepearlisworthfiftytimesthatmuch. ThedealerfirmlyassertsthathisisanaccurateappraisalandinvitesKinotoseekoutasecondopinion. Kino sneighborsstiruneasily,wonderinghowKinocanrejectsuchalargesumofmoneyandwonderingwhetherheisbeingfoolishandheadstrongbydemandingmore. Presently,threenewdealersarrivetoexaminethepearl,andtheinitialdealerinvitesthemtomakeindependentappraisals. Thefirsttwodealersrejectthepearlasamereoddity,andthethirddealermakesafeebleofferoffivehundredpesos. Uponhearingthisnews,Kinoquicklyremovesthepearlfromconsideration. Ashedoesso,theinitialdealer,unfazedbythelowerbid,insiststhathisofferofonethousandpesosstillstands. Protestingthathehasbeencheated,Kinoannouncesaplantosellhispearlinthecapitalcity. Hisoutburstraisesthebidtofifteenhundredpesos,butKinowillhavenoneofit. HefiercelypusheshiswayoutofthecrowdandstartsthelongwalkhomeasJuanatrailsafterhim. Atsupper,Kino sneighborsdebatetheday sevents. Somesuggestthatthedealers appraisalswerefair,whileothersthinkthatKinoisthevictimofascam. Somethinkheshouldhavesettledforthefinalofferoffifteenhundredpesos;otherspraiseKino sbraveryforinsistingonhisownterms. Meanwhile,inhisbrushhouse,Kinohasburiedthepearlunderhissleepingmat. Hesitsbrooding,nervousabouthisupcomingjourneytothefarawaycapital. JuanawatcheshimwhileshenursesCoyotitoandpreparessupper. JuanTom sthenenterstotrytowarnKinoofthedangersinvolvedingoingtothecapital,butKinoisadamantaboutsellinghispearltosecureabetterfutureforhisson. UnabletoconvinceKinotoheedhiswarning,JuanTom sreturnshome. ThatnightKinogoeswithoutsupper. Hesitsawaketoprotectthepearlandcontinuestoporeoverthedetailsofhisproblem. Juanakeepsherownsilentvigil,intendingtosupportKinowithhercompany. Suddenly,Kinosensesanevilpresence. Herises,feelingfortheknifeunderhisshirt,andmovestowardthedoorwayasJuanastiflesadesiretorestrainhim. Fromthedarkness,amanassaultsKino,andastruggleensues. BythetimeJuanareachesthefray,theattackerhasfled. Bloodiedandcutandwithhisclothestorn,Kinoliessprawledontheground,onlyhalfconscious. Withoutdelay,JuanahelpsKinoinsidetocareforhiswounds. Kinoadmitsthatinthedarkhewasunabletotellwhoattackedhim. AfterJuanawashesouthislastcut,shebegshimindesperationtodiscardtheevilpearl. But,morefiercelythanever,Kinoinsiststhattheymustcapitalizeontheirgoodfortune. Heexplainsthatinthemorningtheywillsetoutinthecanoeforthecapital. Juanadutifullysubmitstoherhusband splan,andtheybothgotosleep.


Chapter3SummaryMysonwillreadandopenthebooks...hewillknowandthroughhimwewillknow....Thisiswhatthepearlwilldo. Wordof Kino sdiscoverytravelsquickly. EvenbeforeKinoreturnstohisbrushhouse,everyoneintownknowsthathehasfound thePearloftheWorld. Throughouttown,peopleofeveryclass fromthebeggartothebusinessmantothepriest dreamofhowKino spearlcanhelpthem. Likeeveryoneelse,thedoctorwhoturnedKinoawaydesiresthepearl. Ignorantofothers jealousy,Kinoand Juana delightintheirgoodfortune,invitingfamilyandfriendstosharetheirjoyintheirnewfoundtreasure. WhenJuanTom sasksKinowhathewilldowithhiswealth,Kinodetailshisplans:apropermarriageinthechurch,newclothingforthefamily,aharpoon,andarifle,amongotherthings. Kino snewboldnessamazesJuana,especiallywhenheexpresseshisdesireforCoyotitotobesenttoschoolandeducated. Kinohimselfissurprisedsomewhatbyhisownresolutestatement,andalloftheneighborsstareatthemightypearlwithamixtureofhopeandfearattheenormouschangesthatlieahead. Asduskapproaches,Juanarevivesthefire,andtheneighborsoverstaytheirwelcome. Neardark,thepriestcomestodeliverabenediction. Oncehehasblessedthehousehold,heaskstoseethepearl. Dazzled,thepriestimploresKinotorememberthechurchinhisnewprosperity. Juanaannouncestheirintentiontobemarriedinthechurch,andthepriestleavesthemwithakindword. AsenseofevilovercomesKinointhewakeofthepriest svisit. Theneighborsdispersetotheirownsuppers,andJuanabeginstoprepareamealofbakedbeans. Kinohuddlesbeneathablanketinthecoldnight,keepingthepearlclosetohisbody. Plaguedwithcontinuedillfeeling,Kinomeditatesontheformersecurityofhisfamily,andonthemenacinguncertaintyintowhichtheirnewfoundfortunehascastthem. Fromthedoorofhisbrushhouse,Kinowatchestwomenapproach. Thefiguresprovetobethedoctorandhisservant,whohavecometoexamineCoyotito swound. Kinobrusquelydismissesthedoctor sattentions,butwhenthedoctormakesasinisterinsinuationaboutthelingeringpotentialforinfection,Kinorelentsandallowshimtoenter. Juanaisextremelysuspiciousofthedoctor,butKinoreassuresher. WhenthedoctorexaminesCoyotito,hecontendsthathehasfoundevidenceofcomplicationsandproducesacapsuleofmedicationthatheproceedstoadminister. Claimingthatthepoisonwillstrikewithinanhourandthatthemedicinemayprovelifesaving,thedoctordeclaresthathewillreturninanhourtocheckonCoyotito sprogress. AsJuanastaresatCoyotitowithconcern,Kinorealizesthathehasbeencarelessinnotguardingthepearl. Withoutdelay,hewrapsthepearlinarag,digsahole,andburiesthepearlinacornerofthebrushhouse,concealingthehidingplacefromview. AsKinoeatshissupper,asmallblackpuppylingersinthedoorwayandshakesitstailnervously. Afterward,JuanaalertsKinothatCoyotito sconditionisgrowingworse,andshesingssoothinglyinanefforttocomfortthebaby. WhenCoyotitobecomesvisiblyill,anevilfeelingfillsKinoonceagain. Theneighborslearnquicklyofthedoctor svisitandCoyotito ssubsequentdecline,andtheyreconveneatKino shousetoprovidesupport. Thedoctorreappears,andaswiftlyadministeredpotionsetsCoyotitotorest. ThedoctorinnocuouslyaskswhenKinomightbeabletopayhim. Kinoexplainsthatoncehehassoldhismostvaluablepearlhewillbeabletopay. Feigningignoranceaboutthepearl,thedoctorofferstokeepitinhissafe,butKinodeclinestheoffer,explainingthatheintendstosellthepearlinthemorning. Thedoctorexpressesconcernthatthepearlmightbestolen,andKinoinadvertentlyglanceswithfearatthecornerwherethepearlisburied. Later,whenthedoctorandneighborsdepartanditistimetosleep,Kinopacesaboutthehouseanxiously,listeningvigilantlyforthreateningnoises. Inafitofprecaution,hedigsupthepearlandreburiesitbeneathhissleepingmat. Finally,Kino,Juana,andCoyotitocurluptogetheronthematandattempttosleeppeacefully. Atfirst,KinodreamsofCoyotito sfuturesuccess,buttheevilfeelingreturnsandquicklyovertakeshim. Hestirsrestlessly,wakingJuana. Hewakesandhearsanintruderinthehouse,coweringandscratchinginthecorner,clearlyinsearchofthepearl. Grabbinghisknife,Kinoleapsintothecornerandstruggleswiththeintruder,stabbingathimwildly. Afteraviolentscuffle,theintruderflees,leavingKinobloodiedasJuanacallsouttohiminterror. Regaininghersenses,sheswiftlypreparesasalveforKino sbruisedforehead. AsshetendsKino swounds,Juanarailsagainstthepearl,callingitanevilplagueuponthem. Kinoremainsadamantaboutthepearl svirtue,insistingthatitwillbetheirroadtosalvation. Juanadisagrees,declaringthatitwilldestroytheirentirefamily. AsKinohushesher,henoticesaspotofbloodonhisknife,whichheremoves. Withdawnapproaching,hesettlesdowntolookathispearl. Initsluminescence,Kinoseeshisfamily schanceforthefuture,andsmiles. Juanasmileswithhim,andtheymeetthedaywithhope. Analysis Though ThePearl snarrativeseemstosuggestthatgreedisthefirststeptodestruction,inthischapterSteinbeckfocusesnotongreedbutonambition Kino sdesiretousethewealthofferedbythepearltobetterhislifeandthelifeofhisfamily. Steinbeckportraysthiskindofbenevolentdesireforadvancementasatraituniquetohumanity,onethathasmadehumankindsuperiortoallanimals. Kino sneighborshavetroublefiguringwhetherKino sambitionwillbringhimsuccessorsuffering. Theytooareintoxicatedbytheawe-inspiringprospectofKinoowningarifleorCoyotitoreceivinganeducation,butthesepropositionsaresofarremovedfromtheirsenseofwhatispossiblethattheyreacttothemwithanaturalsuspicion. Theneighborsareonlyabletothinkaboutthepearlintermsoftheirpreexistingnarratives. Becausetheyhaveanancientlegendaboutagreat PearlThatMightBe, theybelievethatthatlegendhascometofruitioninKino spearl,whichtheydubthe PearloftheWorld. TheydonotconceiveofthepearlassimplyavaluableluckybreakforKino;forthem,thepearlhasdeepmoralandspiritualsignificance. Byrelatingthestoriestheneighborstrade,Steinbeckshowshowthehumanmindturnsrealexperienceintoparablethroughtheactofstorytelling. Forus,theneighbors suspicionofKino sgoodfortuneseemsjustified,basedonSteinbeck stentativetoneandonhisremarksthatthegodsdisregardmen splansandonlyallowmensuccessifitcomesbyaccident. Steinbeckassertsthatwhenhumanagencyactuallydoesbringaboutsuccess throughtheexerciseofabenevolentambitionlikeKino s,forexample , thegodstaketheirrevengeonaman. Inthisway,SteinbeckcompletelynegatesthevaluesystemoftheAmericandream. Hardworkandopennesstoopportunity,themaincomponentsofthetraditionalAmericandream,aremeaninglessinamalevolentuniverseinwhich thegods conspireagainsteveryindividual sdesiretoimprovehisorherlotinlife. Becausehispearlisworthsomuchmoney,Kinobelievesitoffershimachancetorealizehisambitiousdreamsandfreehimselffromtheshacklesofcolonialism. ButwhatkeepsKinofromfulfillinghisambitionsishislackofknowledge. Kinomaybeabletopaythedoctortohealhisson,butheisignorantastowhetherheismakingtherightchoice perhapsthedoctorisinfactpoisoninghisson. Kinoiswellawareofhispredicament,andhisdesireforhissontoobtainaneducationshowsKino srecognitionthateducationprovidestheonlypossibleescapefromcolonialoppression. Butinhissingle-mindedpursuitofsuccessandwealthforhisson,Kinoabandonsthenurturingaspectsofhisfatherlyduty. KinoleavesJuanaalonetocarefortheailingCoyotitowhilehe,Kino,focuseshisattentionsonfindingaplacetoconcealthepearl. AsKinoshiftshisfocustoprovidingforhissoninmaterialratherthanemotionalways,hemakesacorrespondingshiftfrompeacefulcoexistenceinhisvillagetoviolent,paranoidsuspicionofhisneighbors. NowthatKinohasacquiredwealth,heisobligatedtodefendthatwealthfrompotentialusurpers. Ultimately,thisshiftinpreoccupationdemonstratesthatwealthhasadehumanizingeffectonthosewhopossessit,suchasthedoctorandKino,andonthosewhodesireit,suchastheintruderwhocomestostealthepearl. Theintruderisdescribedinvague,inhumantermsthatportrayhimasanunidentifiablemassofclothing. Kinoevenreferstohimas thething, asthoughhewereaplaguesentagainstKinoratherthananotherhumanbeing. Atthispointinthestory,however,onlyJuanaseemstorecognizethatthepearlisanevilinstrumentthatwillbringherfamilypainandheartache. Thepearl:Chapter4PlotAnalysisSummaryWordspreadsthroughoutthetownofLaPazthat Kino willbesellinghisgreatpearl. Thepearlbuyersareespeciallyexcited,andthepearlfishersabandontheirworkforthedaytowitnessthetransaction. Overbreakfastthatmorning,thebrush-houseneighborhoodteemswithspeculationandopinion. Kino, Juana,andCoyotitoweartheirbestclothesfortheoccasion,andKinodonshishatwithcare,anxioustoappearaserious,vigorousmanoftheworld. AsKinoandJuanasetoutfromtheirbrushhouse,theneighborsfallinlinebehindthem. JuanTom swalksatthefrontwithKinoandexpresseshisconcernthatKinomaybecheated,asKinohasnostandardoftruecomparisontoknowwhathispearlisworth. Kinoacknowledgesthisproblembutaddsthattheyhavenowayofsolvingit. JuanTom stellsKinothatanothersystemofpearl-sellingusedtoexistbeforeKinowasborn. Pearlerswouldgivetheirpearlstoagentsforsaleinthecapital,butasaresultoftherampantcorruptionofpearlagentswhostolethepearlsmeantforsale,theoldsystemisnolongerinplace. Kinopointsoutthataccordingtothechurch,suchasystemmustfail,asitrepresentsavaineffortonthepartofthepearlerstoexceedtheirstationinlife. KinoandJuanTom swalkoninsilenceintothecity,drawingstaresfromassembledonlookers. AsKino,JuanTom s,andtheattendingcrowdapproach,thepearldealersscrambletoputtheirofficesinorder,hidingtheirlittlepearlsandpreparingtomakeoffers. Thefirstdealerisashort,slickmanwhonervouslyrollsacoinbackandforthinhishand. Heexplainsafteracarefulexaminationthatthepearlisworthlessbecauseofitsabnormallylargesize. Declaringitmoreofamuseumcuriositythanamarketcommodity,thedealermakesanoffhandbidofonethousandpesos. Kinoreactsangrilytothislowballofferandinsiststhatthepearlisworthfiftytimesthatmuch. ThedealerfirmlyassertsthathisisanaccurateappraisalandinvitesKinotoseekoutasecondopinion. Kino sneighborsstiruneasily,wonderinghowKinocanrejectsuchalargesumofmoneyandwonderingwhetherheisbeingfoolishandheadstrongbydemandingmore. Presently,threenewdealersarrivetoexaminethepearl,andtheinitialdealerinvitesthemtomakeindependentappraisals. Thefirsttwodealersrejectthepearlasamereoddity,andthethirddealermakesafeebleofferoffivehundredpesos. Uponhearingthisnews,Kinoquicklyremovesthepearlfromconsideration. Ashedoesso,theinitialdealer,unfazedbythelowerbid,insiststhathisofferofonethousandpesosstillstands. Protestingthathehasbeencheated,Kinoannouncesaplantosellhispearlinthecapitalcity. Hisoutburstraisesthebidtofifteenhundredpesos,butKinowillhavenoneofit. Hefiercelypushe. ShiswayoutofthecrowdandstartsthelongwalkhomeasJuanatrailsafterhim. Atsupper,Kino sneighborsdebatetheday sevents. Somesuggestthatthedealers appraisalswerefair,whileothersthinkthatKinoisthevictimofascam. Somethinkheshouldhavesettledforthefinalofferoffifteenhundredpesos;otherspraiseKino sbraveryforinsistingonhisownterms. Meanwhile,inhisbrushhouse,Kinohasburiedthepearlunderhissleepingmat. Hesitsbrooding,nervousabouthisupcomingjourneytothefarawaycapital. JuanawatcheshimwhileshenursesCoyotitoandpreparessupper. JuanTom sthenenterstotrytowarnKinoofthedangersinvolvedingoingtothecapital,butKinoisadamantaboutsellinghispearltosecureabetterfutureforhisson. UnabletoconvinceKinotoheedhiswarning,JuanTom sreturnshome. ThatnightKinogoeswithoutsupper. Hesitsawaketoprotectthepearlandcontinuestoporeoverthedetailsofhisproblem. Juanakeepsherownsilentvigil,intendingtosupportKinowithhercompany. Suddenly,Kinosensesanevilpresence. Herises,feelingfortheknifeunderhisshirt,andmovestowardthedoorwayasJuanastiflesadesiretorestrainhim. Fromthedarkness,amanassaultsKino,andastruggleensues. BythetimeJuanareachesthefray,theattackerhasfled. Bloodiedandcutandwithhisclothestorn,Kinoliessprawledontheground,onlyhalfconscious. Withoutdelay,JuanahelpsKinoinsidetocareforhiswounds. Kinoadmitsthatinthedarkhewasunabletotellwhoattackedhim. AfterJuanawashesouthislastcut,shebegshimindesperationtodiscardtheevilpearl. But,morefiercelythanever,Kinoinsiststhattheymustcapitalizeontheirgoodfortune. Heexplainsthatinthemorningtheywillsetoutinthecanoeforthecapital. Juanadutifullysubmitstoherhusband splan,andtheybothgotosleep. Analysis LikeChapter 3,Chapter 4 openswithacommentbythenarratoraboutthetown Itiswonderfulthewayalittletownkeepstrackofitselfandofallitsunits. Steinbeckgoesontoportraythetownasanall-powerfulunit,fullofmenwhoworktogethertosuppressthedeviantelementsintheirmidst. Steinbeckemphasizesthatsocietyshapesanindividual sfateasmuchasdivinityoranyotherforce. Intheuniverseof ThePearl, thegodsasserttheirinfluenceonhumansthroughchanceandaccident,butsocietyassertsanequalinfluencethroughforces suchasgreedandviolence thatemanatefromhumandrives. BothhumanwillandthegodsshapeKino sfateinSteinbeck sparable:anaccidentenablesKinotofindthepearl,andgreedandambitionleadtohisdownfall. Thenarratorsaysthatpeacecanbeachievedinthetownonlyifnoonedeviatesfromnormal,expectedbehavior,implyingthattownsarealmostlikeminiatureauthoritarianstates. ItisironicthatSteinbecknamesthetownin ThePearl LaPaz,whichmeans peace inSpanish. Thetown scapitalistcartelwagesconstantwarwithallchallengers,andbypossessingagreatpearl,Kinomakeshimselfatargetfortheracketofpearlbuyersthathasevolvedovertime. Behindthescenes,onemandetermineshowmuchthebuyersshouldofferforeachpearl,therebyprofitingshamelesslywhileremainingoutofthereachofaccusation. Anindividualsellingapearlthereforehasnoalternativebuttocomplywiththissystemor,despitethedifficultyofdoingso,trytocircumventit. Kino scommenttoJuanTom sthattheoldsystemofpearlsellingwas againstreligion highlightsthewaytheCatholicchurchpreservedexistingsocialhierarchiesandgrossdisparitiesinwealthbycautioningitsfollowersabouttherelativeunimportanceandevendangerofthematerialworld. ThenarratoraddsthatthenativesofMexicohaveenduredthispositionatthebottomofthesocialhierarchy,includingitsabsoluteandtotalexploitationofbothfinancialandmoralterms,forthefourhundredyearssincethefirstEuropeansarrived. ThethieflikepearldealersKinoencounterslacknames,charactercomplexity,andemotion theyseemtolackhumanity. Aprofitmargindictatestheirentireexistence,andtheirlivelihoodsdependuponunderhandeddeals,assymbolizedbythefactthatthefirstdealerspendsallhistimesecretlypracticingacointrickbeneathhisdesk. Whenoneneighborasksifthedealersconspiredinadvanceregardingthepriceofthepearl,anotherneighborresponds, Ifthatisso,thenallofushavebeencheatedallofourlives. Itisalmostasthoughsuchapossibilityistoohorribletoforthenativestoface. Instead,everyonechoosestoignorethelegitimacyofthesuggestion,andmostofthevillagersridiculeKino sdefianceofthedealers. WhilewesympathizewithKino sdesiretobreakfreefromoppression asJuanTom srealizes,Kino sambitionpitshimagainstanentireestablishedstructureofbusiness,church,andempire ,Kino streatmentofJuanalessensoursympathyforhimsomewhat. JuanafindsherselfsubjectedtoKino swhimsjustasheissubjectedtothecolonists whims. Shehasnoroleinthebusinessprocess,andKinoneverconsultsheraboutthepropercourseofactionwithregardtothepearl. WhenJuanafinallyvolunteersherintuitionthatthepearlisevilandwillruinthem,Kinorefusestolisten,assuringherwiththesimpledeclaration Iamaman. Juanahasnorecourse. Kino srefusaltoacknowledgehiswife sbetterjudgmentparallelsthecolonialsuppressionofthenative sintuitiveknowledgeof thingsofthespirit. Thepearl:plotanalysisAsalatemoonrisesoutside,nearbymotionrouses Kino fromhissleep. Inthepalelight,heisbarelyabletodiscern Juana,whomovestowardthefireplace,quietlygathersthepearl,andsneaksoutintothenight. Kinostealthilyfollowsherassheheadstowardtheshore. Whenshehearshiminpursuit,Juanabreaksintoarun,butKinoapprehendsherjustassheispreparingtohurlthepearlintothewater. Grabbingthepearlfromher,hepunchesherinthefaceandkicksherinthesidewhenshefallsdown. AsKinohoversoverJuana,thewavesbreakuponhercrumpledbody. Hehissesmenacinglyaboveher,thenturnsindisgustandleavesherwithoutaword. AsKinomakeshiswayupthebeach,agroupofmenassaultshim. Kinostrugglesviolentlyastheypawandprodathim. AsKinodriveshisknifeintooneofhisattackers,themenknockthepearlfromhisgrasp. Meanwhile,somedistanceawayfromthefight,Juanagetsuponherkneesandbeginstomakeherwayhome. Climbingthroughthebrush,sheseesthepearllyinginthepath. Shepicksitupandconsidersreturningtotheseatodiscardthepearlonceandforall.


Analysis LikeChapter 3,Chapter 4 openswithacommentbythenarratoraboutthetown Itiswonderfulthewayalittletownkeepstrackofitselfandofallitsunits. Steinbeckgoesontoportraythetownasanall-powerfulunit,fullofmenwhoworktogethertosuppressthedeviantelementsintheirmidst. Steinbeckemphasizesthatsocietyshapesanindividual sfateasmuchasdivinityoranyotherforce. Intheuniverseof ThePearl, thegodsasserttheirinfluenceonhumansthroughchanceandaccident,butsocietyassertsanequalinfluencethroughforces suchasgreedandviolence thatemanatefromhumandrives. BothhumanwillandthegodsshapeKino sfateinSteinbeck sparable:anaccidentenablesKinotofindthepearl,andgreedandambitionleadtohisdownfall. Thenarratorsaysthatpeacecanbeachievedinthetownonlyifnoonedeviatesfromnormal,expectedbehavior,implyingthattownsarealmostlikeminiatureauthoritarianstates. ItisironicthatSteinbecknamesthetownin ThePearl LaPaz,whichmeans peace inSpanish. Thetown scapitalistcartelwagesconstantwarwithallchallengers,andbypossessingagreatpearl,Kinomakeshimselfatargetfortheracketofpearlbuyersthathasevolvedovertime. Behindthescenes,onemandetermineshowmuchthebuyersshouldofferforeachpearl,therebyprofitingshamelesslywhileremainingoutofthereachofaccusation. Anindividualsellingapearlthereforehasnoalternativebuttocomplywiththissystemor,despitethedifficultyofdoingso,trytocircumventit. Kino scommenttoJuanTom sthattheoldsystemofpearlsellingwas againstreligion highlightsthewaytheCatholicchurchpreservedexistingsocialhierarchiesandgrossdisparitiesinwealthbycautioningitsfollowersabouttherelativeunimportanceandevendangerofthematerialworld. ThenarratoraddsthatthenativesofMexicohaveenduredthispositionatthebottomofthesocialhierarchy,includingitsabsoluteandtotalexploitationofbothfinancialandmoralterms,forthefourhundredyearssincethefirstEuropeansarrived. ThethieflikepearldealersKinoencounterslacknames,charactercomplexity,andemotion theyseemtolackhumanity. Aprofitmargindictatestheirentireexistence,andtheirlivelihoodsdependuponunderhandeddeals,assymbolizedbythefactthatthefirstdealerspendsallhistimesecretlypracticingacointrickbeneathhisdesk. Whenoneneighborasksifthedealersconspiredinadvanceregardingthepriceofthepearl,anotherneighborresponds, Ifthatisso,thenallofushavebeencheatedallofourlives. Itisalmostasthoughsuchapossibilityistoohorribletoforthenativestoface. Instead,everyonechoosestoignorethelegitimacyofthesuggestion,andmostofthevillagersridiculeKino sdefianceofthedealers. WhilewesympathizewithKino sdesiretobreakfreefromoppression asJuanTom srealizes,Kino sambitionpitshimagainstanentireestablishedstructureofbusiness,church,andempire ,Kino streatmentofJuanalessensoursympathyforhimsomewhat. JuanafindsherselfsubjectedtoKino swhimsjustasheissubjectedtothecolonists whims. Shehasnoroleinthebusinessprocess,andKinoneverconsultsheraboutthepropercourseofactionwithregardtothepearl. WhenJuanafinallyvolunteersherintuitionthatthepearlisevilandwillruinthem,Kinorefusestolisten,assuringherwiththesimpledeclaration Iamaman. Juanahasnorecourse. Kino srefusaltoacknowledgehiswife sbetterjudgmentparallelsthecolonialsuppressionofthenative sintuitiveknowledgeof thingsofthespirit. Thepearl:plotanalysisAsalatemoonrisesoutside,nearbymotionrouses Kino fromhissleep. Inthepalelight,heisbarelyabletodiscern Juana,whomovestowardthefireplace,quietlygathersthepearl,andsneaksoutintothenight. Kinostealthilyfollowsherassheheadstowardtheshore. Whenshehearshiminpursuit,Juanabreaksintoarun,butKinoapprehendsherjustassheispreparingtohurlthepearlintothewater. Grabbingthepearlfromher,hepunchesherinthefaceandkicksherinthesidewhenshefallsdown. AsKinohoversoverJuana,thewavesbreakuponhercrumpledbody. Hehissesmenacinglyaboveher,thenturnsindisgustandleavesherwithoutaword. AsKinomakeshiswayupthebeach,agroupofmenassaultshim. Kinostrugglesviolentlyastheypawandprodathim. AsKinodriveshisknifeintooneofhisattackers,themenknockthepearlfromhisgrasp. Meanwhile,somedistanceawayfromthefight,Juanagetsuponherkneesandbeginstomakeherwayhome. Climbingthroughthebrush,sheseesthepearllyinginthepath. Shepicksitupandconsidersreturningtotheseatodiscardthepearlonceandforall. Atthismoment,JuanaspiestwodarkfigureslyingintheroadandrecognizesoneofthemasKino. Inthenextinstant,JuanarealizesthatKinohaskilledthemanslumpedbyhisside. JuanadragsthedeadbodyintothebrushandthenhelpsKino,whomoansaboutlosinghispearl. JuanasilenceshimbyshowinghimthepearlandexplainsthattheymustfleeimmediatelybecauseKinohascommittedahorriblecrime. Kinoproteststhatheactedinself-defense,butJuanaarguesthathisalibiwon tmatteratalltotheauthorities. KinorealizesthatJuanaisright,andtheyresolvetoflee. WhileJuanarunsbacktothebrushhousetograbCoyotito,Kinoreturnstothebeachtoreadyhiscanoefortheescape. Hefindsthatsomeonehaspunchedalargeholeintheboat sbottom. Filledwithsorrowandrage,hequicklyscramblesbacktohisbrushhouse,momentsbeforedawn. Ashearrivesinthevicinityoftheneighborhood,henoticesflamesandrealizesthathishouseisburning. Asherunstowardthefire,JuanameetshimwithCoyotitoinherarms. Sheconfirmsthattheirhousehasbeenburneddowncompletely. Astheneighborsrushtocontrolthefireandtosavetheirownhouses,Kino,Juana,andCoyotitoduckbetweentheshadowsandintoJuanTom s shouse. InthedarknessinsideJuanTom s shouse,KinoandJuanalistenastheneighborsattempttosubduethefireandspeculatethatKinoandJuanahavebeenkilledintheblaze. ThecouplecanonlylistenasJuanTom s swife,Apolonia,wailsinmourningforthelossofherrelatives. WhenApoloniareturnstoherhousetochangeheadshawls,Kinowhisperstoher,explainingthattheyaretakingrefuge. KinoinstructsApoloniatobringJuanTom stothemandtokeeptheirwhereaboutsasecret. Shecomplies,andJuanTom sarrivesmomentslater,postingApoloniaatthedoortokeepwatchwhilehetalkswithKino. Kinoexplainsthatheinadvertentlykilledamanafterbeingattackedinthedarkness. JuanTom sblamesthismisfortuneonthepearlandadvisesKinotosellitwithoutdelay. Kino,however,ismorefocusedonhislosses,detailingthedestructionofhiscanoeandhishouse. HeimploresJuanTom stohidetheminhishouseforanight,untiltheycangatherthemselvesandmakeasecondattempttoflee. JuanTom shesitatestobringdangeruponhimselfbutultimatelyagreestoshelterthemandkeepsilentabouttheirplans. Thatafternoon,KinoandJuanacrouchtogetherinsilence,listeningtotheneighborsdiscussthemamongtheashesoutside. MostoftheneighborsassumethatKinoandJuanaaredead,butJuanTom ssuggeststhatperhapsthefamilyhasfledtothesouthtoescapepersecution. Ashemovesbackandforthamongtheneighbors,hereturnstohishousefromtimetotime,bringingbitsandpiecesofprovisionsthatwillhelpKinoandJuanaontheirjourney. Thatevening,KinotellsJuanTom shisplantotraveltothecitiesofthenorth. JuanTom sadviseshimtoavoidthecoast,asasearchpartywillbeonthelookoutforhim. WhenJuanTom sasksifKinostillhasthepearl,Kinorespondsthathedoesandthatheintendstoholdontoit. Atdark,beforethemoonrises,Kino,Juana,andCoyotitoexchangepartingwordswithJuanTom sandApolonia,andheadoutintothenight. AnalysisOnceKinobeatsJuana,hebeginstoloseeverythingasrapidlyashegainedthePearloftheWorld. Kinoloseshisself-respectasahusbandbybeatingJuana,hisintegrityasalaw-abidingcitizenbykillinghisattacker,hisbirthrightintheformofthedestroyedcanoe,andhishome,burnedtothegroundbyanarsonist. Furthermore,Kino ssensesbecome dulledbyhisemotion inhisdeterminationtoovercomeadversityandgainwhathefeelstoberightfullyhisbysellingthepearl. Hehaslostthecapacitytofeelguilt,sohedoesn tregretstrikinghiswifeorkillinganotherman. AsKino sambitiontoimprovehisfamily slotstrengthens,hisabilitytoseetohisfamily swell-beingweakens. Heexposeshissontoquestionablemedicaltreatmentandabuseshiswife,alltoachievethematerialsuccesshewantsforthem. Kino sattemptstosafeguardthepearlpredisposehimtoviolenceindefenseofhisproperty. Intheheatofbattle,helosescontrolandsuccumbstohisbasesthumaninstincts:hemurdershisassailant. Oncehecrossesthelinefromdefendertoaggressor,Kinosuddenlyfindshimselfwithnothingtogainandeverythingtolose. AfterKinokillsaman,thethoughtof improving hisfamilyislost theonlythingthatremainsisto savehimselfandhisfamily. Kinoassociateshimselfwithhispearl,remarkingtoJuanTom sthatwhereasheoncemighthavegiventhepearlawayasagift,hismanytroubleshavegraftedthepearltohim. Kinoseesthepearlasbothaburdenandapromise,andrefusestogiveitup. AmidKino smonomania obsessivefocusonasingleidea ,Juanaremainstetheredtoandtrappedinanincreasinglydisastroussituation. ThoughsheseesKinoas halfinsaneandhalfgod, shecannotimaginelivingwithoutaman. Becauseofherpositionasawifeinatraditionalsociety,JuanaisnecessarilysubservienttoKino. Shemustfollowwhatheviewsashislargerambitions,eventhoughhergoodsensecautionsagainstitastheirsituationbecomesincreasinglydesperate. Unfortunately,althoughJuana sgoodsensedemandsthatthepearlbethrownaway. Onaclear,windynight,Kino, Juana,andCoyotitobegintheirlongmarchnorth,avoidingthesleepingtown. Outsideoftown,theyfollowaroad,carefullywalkinginawheelruttoconcealtheirtracks. Theywalkallnightandmakecampinaroadsideshelteratsunrise. Aftereatingasmallbreakfast,Juanarestsuntilmidday. Kinospotsaclusterofantsandlaysdownhisfootasanobstacle. Theantsclimboverit,andhekeepshisfootinplaceandwatchesthemscaleit. WhenJuanarises,sheasksKinoifhethinkstheywillbepursued. JuanathenbeginstodoubtKino sconvictionthatthepearlisworthfarmorethanthedealersoffered,butKinopointsoutthathisattackerswouldnothavetriedtostealthepearlwereitworthnothing. Kinostaresatthepearltoreadhisfuture. HeliestoJuana,tellingherthatheseesarifle,amarriageinachurch,andaneducationforCoyotito. IntruthKinoseesabodybleedingontheground,Juanamakingherwayhomethroughthenightafterbeingbeaten,andCoyotito sfaceswollenasthoughheweresick. Thefamilyretreatsfartherintotheshadeforanotherrest. WhileKinosleepssoundly,Juanaisrestless. AssheplayswithCoyotito,Kinowakesfromadreamanddemandsthattheykeepquiet. Creepingforward,hespotsatriooftrackerspursuingtheirtrail. Kinostiffensandattemptstobestillandsilentuntilthetrackershavepassed. Hewatchesthemgrownearerandpreparestospringonthemwithhisknifeifnecessary. JuanaalsohearstheapproachingtrackersanddoesherbesttoquietCoyotito. Thetrackers horsegrowsexcitedasthetrackersapproachtheshelter. Foramoment,itappearsthattheyarepoisedtoapprehendCoyotitoandJuana,buteventuallytheylosetheirleadonthetra. Ilandmoveon. Kinorealizesthatitisonlyamatteroftimebeforetheyreturn,andherunsquicklytoJuana,tellinghertogatherupherthingssothattheycanleaveatonce. Suddenly,Kinofeelstheircausetobehopelessandloseshiswilltoflee,butJuanacastigateshimforgivinguponhisfamily. Finally,Kinosuggeststhattheymightbeabletolosethetrackersupinthemountains. KinoandJuanacollecttheirbelongingsandfleewithCoyotitothroughtheundergrowth,makingnoefforttoconcealtheirtracks. Astheyclimbthefirstrises,Kinorealizesthatthedistanceheisputtingbetweenhisfamilyandthetrackersoffersonlyatemporaryfixtotheirproblem. WhenJuanatakesarestwithCoyotito,Kinoproposesthatshehidewhilehemovesonahead. Untilthetrackershavebeendiverted,shecantakerefugeinanearbytown. But,despiteKino sinsistence,Juanarefusestosplitup,sothefamilymovesontogether. Astheirascentgrowssteeper,Kinoattemptstovaryanddoublebackontheirroutetomisleadthetrackers. Asthesunbeginstoset,KinoandJuanareachanearbycleftandreplenishtheirwatersupplyatapoolandstream,wheretheydrinktocontentment,andJuanarinsesCoyotito. Fromthelookout,Kinospiesthetrackersatadistancebelow,hurryinguptheslope. Juanaalsorealizesthattheyarestillbeingpursued. KinodeceivesthetrackersbycreatingafalsetrailupthecliffanddescendingagaintotakerefugewithJuanaandCoyotitoinanearbycave. Kinohopesthatthetrackerswillclimbpastthem,providingachanceforthemtoclimbdownthehillandoutofrange. KinoinstructsJuanatokeepCoyotitoquiet,andtheyliesilentlyinthecaveastwilightsettlesovertheland. Byevening,thetrackersarriveatthepool,wheretheymakecampandeat. Inthecave,Coyotitogrowsrestless,andJuanaquietshim. Kinonoticesthattwoofthemenhavesettledintosleep,whilethethirdkeepswatch. Kinorealizesthatifhecanmanagetostiflethelookout,he,Juana,andCoyotitowillhaveachancetoescape. JuanafearsforKino slife,butKinoexplainsthattheyhavenootherchoice. Heinstructshertoruntothenearesttownshouldhebekilled,andtheypartreluctantly. Kinostripsnakedtoavoidbeingseenbythewatchman,and,aftercrouchingatthecaveentranceforamomenttosurveyhisroute,hespringsforward. AsJuanapraysforhim,Kinoslowlymovesdowntheslopetowardthepool. Twentyfeetfromthetrackers,hecrouchesbehindapalmtreetoponderhisnextmove. Hismusclescrampandtremble,butheknowshemustactquicklybeforethemoonrises. Heunsheatheshisknifeandpreparestoattack. Justasheispoisedtospring,themoonappears,andherealizesthathisopportunityhasbeenlost. Waitingforamomentwhenthewatchman sheadisturned,Kinogetsreadytotakeamuchriskierapproach. Suddenly,Coyotitoletsoutacrythatwakesoneofthesleepingtrackers. Atfirst,theywonderifitcouldpossiblybethecryofahuman,orwhetheritissimplythecryofacoyote. Thewatchmandecidestosilencethewailerbyshootinginthedirectionofthecry. UnbeknownsttoKino,thebullethitsandkillsCoyotito. Asthewatchmanshoots,Kinospringsuponthetrackers,stabbingthewatchmanandseizingtherifle. Knockingoneoftheothermenoutwithafierceblow,hewatchesasthelastmanattemptstofleeupthecliff. ThemanmakeslittleprogressbeforeKinostopshimwithafirstshot,andthenmurdershimexecution-stylewithanothershotbetweentheeyes. Intheterriblemomentthatensues,Kinonoticesthesilenceofthesurroundinganimals,andfinallyhearstheblood-curdlingcryissuingfromhiswife,mourningthedeathofCoyotito. Laterthenextday,towardsunset,KinoandJuanawalksidebysideintoLaPaz,withJuanacarryingCoyotito scorpseinasackslungoverhershoulder. Theywalkdazedlythroughthecity,withunmovingeyes,speakingtonoone. Onlookersstarewordlessly,andevenJuanTom scanonlyraiseahandingreeting. KinoandJuanamarchthroughthetown,pastthebrushhouses,allthewaytothesea. Attheedgeofthewater,Kinostopsandpullsthepearlfromhispocket. Holdingituptothelight,hestaresintoitcarefully,andafloodofevilmemorieswashesoverhim. Kinoholdsthepearloutinfrontofhim,andthenflingsitoutintotheocean. KinoandJuanawatchthepearlasitsplashesthesurface,andstareatthespotquietlyasthesunsets. Thenthecolumn ofants climbedoverhisinstepandcontinuedonitsway,andKinoleft..AnalysisAftertheirbrushhouseisburneddownandtheyareforcedtofleetheirneighborhood,KinoandJuanafindthemselvesinastruggleforsurvivalinnature. TheirstateofnatureironicallymimicsthatoftheanimalsKinoobservescontemplativelyinChapters 1 and 2.