Themes in ‘The Pearl’ by John Steinbeck

 

Good and Evil

Kino's belief that darkness conceals evil is a common perspective. Yet, one of his significant shortcomings is the conviction that he alone confronts a world split between good and evil. He endeavors to invite good fortune into his life. In his mind, he perceives the music of his personal battle. The Song of the Family resonates in his thoughts when everything is harmonious. The sounds of waves crashing against the shore in the morning and Juana grinding corn or preparing meals are integral to this song. However, when the wind shifts or a member of the oppressive class approaches, he hears the ominous notes of the Song of Evil, described as "the music of the enemy, of any foe of the family, a savage, secret, dangerous melody." Kino listens and reacts to these melodies. When the scorpion begins its descent down the rope towards the baby, he first hears the Song of Evil. Yet, when the priest arrives, he is puzzled despite hearing the same song he associated with the scorpion. He has been taught to view the priest as good, so he searches elsewhere for the source of evil. This melodic device, regardless of its origin, is one of many tools Kino has but fails to fully harness.

Juana possesses a more intricate and mystical understanding of good and evil. She is the one who prays for protection against harmful forces. She employs ancient magic and new Catholic prayers to fend off the scorpion. She does the same when seeking a solution to pay the Doctor. She sees the pearl as the root of evil and believes that men become evil because of it.

Because Kino chooses to confront challenges alone and Juana permits him to do so, evil prevails. The Song of Evil echoes loudly in the silence following the deaths on the mountain—one accidental, three brutal. However, instead of succumbing to evil, Juana and Kino make their way home together, passing the charred remains of their house. "[T]hey were not walking in single file, Kino ahead and Juana behind, as usual, but side by side." As they walk together, the Song of the Family resurges, becoming "as fierce as a cry." Kino even offers Juana the opportunity to discard the pearl, but she refuses. He must silence the source of his madness. He throws the pearl, and as it settles, the Song of Evil "drifted to a whisper and disappeared." Although evil is banished, good has not triumphed, as suggested by the bloody bundle within Juana's shawl.

Knowledge and Ignorance

The Doctor, the Priest, and the Pearl Buyer each contribute to keeping the peasants uneducated and submissive. They employ a variety of tactics, such as financial manipulation, religious ceremonies, threats of eternal damnation, and limited economic opportunities. When the pearl is discovered, each authority figure mistakenly believes they can easily control the person who found it. This error leads them to alienate Kino by attempting to keep him unaware of their plans. Their efforts to maintain his ignorance only serve to foster his resentment and defiance. Kino is not lacking in intelligence; he is merely uninformed. When they try to use force to counter his reluctance, they encounter resistance.

The doctor uses his overwhelming confidence to trick Juana and Kino into thinking their child is still in danger from the scorpion sting. Although Kino suspects the white powder might be a fraud, he is unwilling to risk his son's life by rejecting the doctor's assistance. He trusts the doctor because he treats the Europeans, whom Kino sees as stronger than the Indians, and reasons that the doctor contributes to their strength. Feeling he has no alternative, Kino complies. Similarly, the priest is manipulative, viewing the Indians as children and keeping them in that state by teaching them just enough to fear the evil they might face without his guidance. Religions, particularly Catholicism, have historically used the concept of the devil to subjugate the conquered, and religious justifications have also been used to make slaves compliant. While the people learn enough from the priest to blend his prayers with their ancient beliefs, they gain nothing meaningful from the interaction.

Finally, the pearl buyers are masters of deception, economically dominating the Indians. They create the illusion of a competitive market and stage fake price wars, leading the Indians to believe they are getting fair deals. This misleads the Indians into thinking they are active participants in the economic system. Due to their inability to read, the Indians cannot grasp how the modern world functions and are kept in ignorance to be exploited.

Individual vs. Society

Kino and his community have lost their ability to function as a unified group. They only gather to witness events involving Kino. Before European colonization, they existed as a cohesive society, even creating songs—a practice they have since abandoned. The foundations of their society have been undermined by new religious institutions and, more significantly, by the new economic system. These institutions encourage the individuals to act independently, competing against each other for survival. Social and tribal sharing are discouraged at every opportunity. The narrative emphasizes this by highlighting the absence of friendly social interactions among the community members.

Conversely, the pearl buyers collaborate to benefit a single individual while maintaining control over the unsuspecting native population. Through this contrast, Steinbeck critiques the market system in line with his other literary works. He suggests that capitalism nurtures monopolies. Furthermore, Steinbeck reflects on his own theories about the phalanx. Before the war, he believed that voluntary cooperation was essential for a happy and peaceful life. However, the war taught him that people can easily be misled, bribed, or forced into serving a group when the alternative is to belong to an oppressed class. This latter group, represented by Kino, struggles to come together due to the fragmentation caused by their oppression.

Attempts were made to break the monopoly by sending individual men to the big city, but they never returned. They did not try to send a group of men who could protect themselves. Kino follows this solitary path and ultimately meets defeat. He should have brought his brother or another man with him in a canoe to the city. Instead, he traveled overland with his wife and child, facing dire consequences.

Greed

The theme of greed is central to John Steinbeck's "The Pearl," where it is portrayed as a destructive force that corrupts and alienates individuals. The story serves as a parable, illustrating how the pursuit of wealth can lead to moral decay and the loss of what is truly valuable in life. Through the character of Kino, Steinbeck explores how greed transforms a simple, contented life into one filled with violence, alienation, and tragedy.

Initially, Kino and his family live a peaceful life, content with their simple existence. However, the discovery of the great pearl awakens greed not only in Kino but also in those around him. The pearl, initially a symbol of hope and opportunity, quickly becomes associated with evil and misfortune. Kino's obsession with the pearl leads to a series of tragic events, illustrating the moral lesson that the pursuit of wealth can destroy happiness and harmony.

As Kino becomes consumed by greed, his relationships begin to deteriorate. The pearl alienates him from his community, his brother, and even his wife, Juana. Kino's neighbors no longer see him as one of their own, and he becomes "every man's enemy." The pearl's influence divides Kino from Juana, who perceives the evil it brings and urges him to discard it. Kino's attachment to the pearl transforms him into a "cruel and bitter" person, illustrating how greed can corrupt one's character.

The destructive power of greed is further highlighted through the violence that ensues. Kino's desire to protect the pearl leads him to commit murder and violence against those who threaten to take it from him. The pearl dealers' attempts to cheat Kino, the thieves' attacks, and the ultimate tragedy of Coyotito's death all underscore the chaos and destruction that greed brings into Kino's life. Kino's assertion that the pearl has become his "soul" signifies how deeply greed has consumed him, leaving him with nothing but his obsession.

Ultimately, "The Pearl" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and materialism. Kino's tragic journey demonstrates that wealth cannot buy happiness and that the true value in life lies in family, love, and contentment. The story's moral lesson resonates with modern readers, reminding them of the perils of allowing greed to overshadow what is truly important.

Wealth

The theme of wealth in The Pearl explores how the pursuit of material gain can lead to destruction and loss rather than fulfillment. Steinbeck uses the story of Kino and his family to illustrate the corrupting power of wealth and greed. The pearl, initially seen as a symbol of hope and prosperity, ultimately becomes a catalyst for tragedy and despair.

At the beginning of the novella, Kino and his family live a simple, content life. They are poor but harmonious with nature and each other. The discovery of the pearl, however, introduces the possibility of wealth and a better future. Kino dreams of a grand wedding, a rifle, and education for his son, Coyotito. Yet, these dreams quickly turn into obsessions, as the pearl's promise of wealth brings out the worst in those around him and in Kino himself.

The pearl, described as "perfect as the moon" and "the greatest pearl in the world," initially symbolizes hope and prosperity. However, it also carries an ominous history, having enriched the Spanish colonizers while leaving Kino's ancestors with nothing but exploitation. This historical context foreshadows the pearl's destructive potential. As Kino becomes consumed by the pearl, it transforms from a symbol of hope to one of greed and corruption, leading to violence and loss.

Steinbeck illustrates the destructive nature of wealth through Kino's transformation. Initially a happy, simple man, Kino becomes increasingly paranoid and violent, driven by the pearl's promise. The pearl attracts envy and malice, leading to conflicts that culminate in tragedy. Kino's son is killed, and his family is left shattered. The pearl, once a beacon of hope, becomes "grey, like a malignant growth," reflecting Kino's own moral decay.

The novella suggests that wealth and greed are intertwined, ultimately leading to destruction. Kino's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of valuing material wealth over true happiness and contentment. The pearl, as a central symbol, underscores the transient nature of human happiness and the perils of greed, leaving Kino and Juana to return to their simple life, but forever changed by their pursuit of wealth.

Social Inequality

Social inequality is a central theme in The Pearl, illustrating the stark divisions between the rich and the poor, as well as racial and gender disparities. The narrative follows Kino, a poor pearl diver, whose life is drastically affected by the discovery of a valuable pearl. Through Kino's experiences, Steinbeck exposes the harsh realities of social oppression and the power imbalance between different social classes and races.

From the outset, class inequality is evident. Kino and his family live in a modest hut, contrasting sharply with the opulent homes of the wealthy. When Kino's son, Coyotito, is stung by a scorpion, the family seeks help from the town's doctor. However, the doctor refuses to treat the child due to Kino's lack of money. This refusal highlights the financial barriers that prevent Kino's family from accessing basic healthcare. The doctor's luxurious lifestyle further underscores this inequality: "

A wonderful thing, a memorable thing, to want the doctor. To get him would be a remarkable thing. The doctor never came to the cluster of brush houses. Why should he, when he had more than he could do to take care of the rich people who lived in the stone and plaster houses of the town.

This doctor was not of his people. This doctor was of a race which for nearly four hundred years had beaten and starved and robbed and despised Kino's race, and frightened it too . . . all of the doctor's race spoke to all of Kino's race as though they were simple animals.

Have I nothing better to do than cure insect bites for 'little Indians'? I am a doctor, not a veterinary.

"

Racial inequality is also a significant element in the story. The doctor represents a race that has historically oppressed Kino's people. He dismisses Kino and his family as inferior, referring to them in dehumanizing terms. This racial prejudice is a barrier that Kino cannot overcome, regardless of his newfound wealth.

Gender inequality is another aspect of social disparity in the novel. Juana, Kino's wife, is expected to perform domestic duties and has little say in family decisions. Despite her warnings about the dangers of the pearl, Kino disregards her concerns and even resorts to violence to assert his authority. This dynamic illustrates the gender roles that limit Juana's influence within the family.

Kino's discovery of the pearl initially seems to offer a way out of poverty, but it ultimately exposes him to further exploitation and corruption. His dreams of a better life, such as providing an education for Coyotito, highlight the systemic barriers that prevent indigenous people from improving their circumstances. The pearl, rather than bringing prosperity, becomes a symbol of the unattainable aspirations of the oppressed.

Corruption

In "The Pearl," corruption is a central theme that reveals the destructive power of greed and the systemic injustices faced by the protagonist, Kino. The novella illustrates how sudden wealth can lead to misery when surrounded by a corrupt society. Kino's discovery of the pearl, which should be a blessing, becomes a curse due to the greed and exploitation inherent in the capitalist system he inhabits.

The pearl buyers in the story symbolize the greed of capitalism, ensuring that pearl divers like Kino never receive a fair price. This system marks Kino as a victim the moment he possesses something valuable. He becomes a target for thieves, and the doctor, who represents a corrupt healthcare system, only treats those who can pay. The irony is stark: the scorpion sting, initially a tragedy, is harmless compared to the pearl's discovery, which ultimately leads to his son's death.

The doctor’s refusal to treat Coyotito initially highlights the corruption in the healthcare system. He is insulated by wealth, walls, and servants, choosing whom to help based on their ability to pay. This protection contrasts sharply with Kino's vulnerability, as he is directly impacted by poverty, crime, and corruption once he has something worth stealing.

Kino's journey underscores the destructive impact of greed and the need for societal change. The pearl, a symbol of hope and prosperity, instead brings violence and loss. Steinbeck uses this narrative to advocate for reform, showing how systemic injustices and exploitation of indigenous people perpetuate poverty and suffering. The novella serves as a critique of a society that values wealth over human life and dignity.

 

 

Source: https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-pearl/themes