Man's place within creation

John Steinbeck vividly expresses the philosophy of people becoming human only when they become consciuos of "man's place within creation." When Kino looks upon the dying ant "with the detachment of God" it reflects our own smallness juxtaposed with the whole of creation.

Kino sees looking for pearls as appealing to the greater powers that govern all.

He believes the priest when the priest says people must stay in their own places. However, Kino does not become fully human until he becomes cognizant of the evil of the pearl. The evil is not brought on by the pearl itself, but by man's greed corrupting what should be whole and pure. He could have been content with a small fortune, but allured by what COULD be, he lusts for more.

In The Pearl, Kino repeatedly states he is a man, and will not be cheated. His place is to capitalize on his situation. Ironically, the priest's prediction held true: Kino, pitting his strength against the insuperable and insane for he knows he cannot win.

Man's place is to pit his might against the indestructible mountains and boundless seas, a reminder of our arrogance and insanity. man is keen to get what he desires and slow to consider the costs. The pearl could have been good and perfect, but the corruption of all turned induced the loss of all. The place of man is to walk against the stream of life, edging your way to higher ground; but leap, and the current will wash you away. Ultimately, Kino gained his humanity, throwing the perverted pearl into the sea and longing for the simplicity of his lost life, yet still tantalized by the soft, implacable, and wholly human whisper of the Song of What Could Be and regret of the Song of What Could Have Been. (Ben C.)

Kino's life before and after the discovery of the pearl

Before the two of them found the pearl, they had a simple life in their tiny house. They had a young baby that swung serenly in a box by the door and many loyal friends who supported them. While not officially wed in the church, but they were, as far as anyone was concerned, together. Juana accepts everything about Kino: his mannerisms and gestures had become a second language for the two of them. Meal times pass in silence, only sparingly broken. They are comfortable in their life until their son, Coyotito, becomes ill after a scorpion sting.

After they find the pearl, their lives are turned upside down. While their friends still support them, Kino finds out that people may be corrupt, an idea that would have been unimaginable not too long before. Would a doctor really POISON a baby just to get some money? Would he refuse the same baby medical treatment because the only thing he could get in return, besides satisfaction, would be a handful of ugly pearls? And would the pearl buyers really give him a price ten times less than the pearl's worth or try to steal it from him?

When Kino must kill to keep his family safe, he reaches a point where he cannot turn back and hide in the mold of his old life even if he destroys the large pearl. One thing, though, did NOT change; his wife followed him obediently. (Sarah)

What is your most important material possession?

And what does it represent to you?

One of my family's philosophies since childhood is, "If you don't have a picture, it might not have happened." We document almost everything...outings, adventures, birthdays, celebrations, losses, and mishaps. I joke with my friends when I'm out with my family on an adventure that I'd be more likely to leave a child behind than my camera. (And I only have two children so they are pretty easy to keep track of!) My most valued material item is my camera. It represents my tangible ability to celebrate life, reflect on significant moments, capture growth and tell our story. I have a blog that serves as an online photo album so my family can watch my children grow up, even though we are distanced geographically. I also follow the blogs of my friends and family so I can know what's going on their lives with the click of a button. (M.J.)

How would our society differ if we had no written language?

Without a written language, we'd be less connected. Word wouldn't spread as quickly or as accurately as it does now. Native stories and tales, though, would be just as strong, if not stronger than they are today. Back before they had written language, stories were told in songs and in dances, passed along through generation after generation. Ad if we didn't have a written language, we would do the same. Our legends would be told, they'd be more intricate, more creative and fun. More fun, perhaps, though less practical. (S.D.)

How does the pearl change its meaning?

At first the pearl is hope (15). The idea of a pearl is the urge Juana feels wash over her as she tries to assuage the suffering of her poisoned son. It's the need for him to be okay and a way to pay for his treatment. When found, it is joy and pride and unbelievable luck (19). When Coyotito seemed to be doing better, the swelling of the sting becoming less prominent, it was luck indeed. The pearl becomes freedom (24-26), granting them the freedom to dream as they pleased. Kino can buy a gun or other small trinkets. He could even get married in the church.

Their luck runs out. Juana decides that the pearl is horrible luck and only brings misfortune. (38) Her son becomes sickly and something tries to steal the pearl (human, beast or devil?) Blood streams down Kino's face. How could holding to the pearl bring any more good luck when it'd turned so awful so quickly?

Later, when the pearl buyers call the pearl worthless, a monstrosity, the pearl means vengeance. Kino would get his fair share of money for the pearl, large and oddly colored though it may be. But it also means fear and uncertainty. Supposing the pearl buyers have been corrupt, every diver has been cheated for much too long. Where must he go to fix this injustice? The capital, maybe? A place too frightening to comprehened.

Kino refused to be cheated because the pearl meant winning. The pearl became avarice for someone ransacked his house and set it aflame. His canoe and family are broken but Kino still clutches the pearl, "The pearl has become my soul. If I am to give it up, I shall lose my soul." (Steinbeck 67) But in the end, the pearl means only evil and death. (S.D.)

What message do you think Steinbeck is trying to convey with this symbolic transformation?

How are pearls created?

Pearls are made when sand gets into an oyster and the creature becomes irritated by the grit in its fleshy muscles. The oyster covers the sand with a hard layer until it's an orbe since a sphere is less painful. The oyster will continue to cover the sang (now a pearl) with the coating until the pearl shakes loose is stolen away by the ocean.

How is this process a trope for human development?
Humans are like this in the fact that trials in our life make us hard, can make us cold and unfeeling but if we struggle to free ourselves from the taint, we can become a beautiful, treasured thing. It may take grit, time and pain to get there but we can make something beautiful out of nothing. (S.D.)

They Had a Dream

What did you learn about the attainability of the American Dream for African Americans pre Civil Rights?

They Had a Dream: The Civil Rights Struggle

After reading pages 1-35 of the introduction: The History of the Black Struggle in America, what did you learn that was new/interesting/surprising/shocking or enlightening?