The Pearl by John Steinbeck: Unit Overview

The Pearl

Reading Packet

Name______

Miss D’Astolfo

English 8

The Pearl by John Steinbeck: Unit Overview

Below are the essential questions, themes, thematic questions and key literary terms that we will use for our analysis of The Pearl. Use this packet to help guide your annotations and read through the background information before you read the novel.

Essential Unit & Thematic Questions

How does a parable transcend time and place to employ a universal theme?
What makes a theme universal?
Why are symbols useful to writers and their audience?
How can writing be used to effect change in society?
How does oppression manifest in both the community and the individual?
How can society’s wrongs be righted?
How much control does an individual have over his/her success in life?
Is money necessary to achieve “success” in life?
Can money change an individual?
What are the differences between good and evil? Are there any grey areas?

Themes & Motifs from The Pearl

During your reading and annotating of The Pearl, look for and mark passages that make a point or statement about these possible theme topics:

Money, Possession & Greed: Look for passages/quotes dealing with the quest for money and the desire for things of the material world, as well as steps which people will take to attain those things. Also, look for passages/quotes that imply that money can buy happiness.
Social oppression: Look for passages/quotes dealing with the oppression of the Mexican Indians in the portrayal of the doctor, the priest, the pearl buyers and the trackers. Watch for details that show how Kino and his people are treated disrespectfully, taken advantage of and discriminated against.
Man as a part of nature: Look for passages/quotes which illustrate similarities between humans and other species through comparisons. Notice the frequent images Steinbeck uses and think of how these passages reflect or foreshadow (give hints about future events) human events.
Kino’s songs: Look for passages/quotes with references to the “music” Kino hears- the three types of songs he hears and their significance. Pay particular attention to when and under what circumstances he “hears” a particular song.
Good vs. Evil: Look for passages/quotes that reflect images and ideas of darkness/light, good/evil, brightness/dimness, day/night, black/white, etc.

*Remember that a Literary Theme is:

The controlling idea of a story
An arguable comment or statement an author makes about the nature of humankind or society
A truth that can be taken from the story
Something that the author wants the reader to understand about life and human nature

Key Literary Terms: Theme, motif, characterization, conflict, symbolism, parable, allegory, setting, metaphor, simile, personification, figurative language, imagery

Background Information

Author: John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was born in Salinas, California, the son of poor parents. Although he was educated at Stanford University and became a famous author, he never forgot his origins. Growing up in working class towns, he became an excellent observer of human nature and later wrote about the people he lived around- workers including Mexican-American and migrant workers. He discovered the harsh reality that these people often faced; they were often treated poorly and with little respect. As a result, many of the characters Steinbeck wrote about were poor and defenseless, isolated and oppressed. They represent the “struggle” theme of his novels- the struggle between the poor and the wealthy, the weak and the strong, good and evil. These themes are all evident in The Pearl.

Origins: In 1940, Steinbeck set out on a sailing expedition to study marine life in the Gulf of California, hoping to find universal patterns in marine species that would help him understand life in general. During this trip, Steinbeck heard about the legend of a Mexican fisher boy who found an enormous pearl that had brought him much misery. Steinbeck developed this legend into the novel The Pearl.

Setting: The events of the book take place sometime around 1900 on an estuary (mouth of a river) somewhere on the coast of Mexico in the town of La Paz. On the map, the long peninsula which descends from California is called Baja California. It is part of Mexico and is separated from the rest of Mexico by the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez.

Historical Background and Social Culture:At the time the story takes place, the Indians of Mexico had already been under the domination of people of Spanish descent for 300 years. The governing class was primarily made up of those ofSpanish descent who kept the Mexican Indians at the bottom of the social hierarchy or social ladder. In most cases, the Indians were not allowedto attend school or own land. (Keeping people uneducated and dependent keeps them oppressed). Although Spanish culture was forced upon the Indians, theyfiercely held onto many of their spiritual beliefs, cultures, and customs of their various tribes. WATCH FOR EVIDENCE OF THIS IN THE NOVEL!

Style: The Pearlis a short novel or novellawhich is told in the form of an allegory or PARABLE––a

short, simple work with little dialogue illustratinga lesson or a larger truth often on the subject of good and evil. In a PARABLE, good and evil are clearly defined––everything is black and white, there are no shades of gray. For instance, the good characters have names, and the bad characters have no names. The characters and action symbolize certain universal ideas or concepts and the readers attach their own meaning to these symbols.

Point of View: The Pearl is told by an all-knowing OMNISCIENT third-person narrator who is observing the characters and their actions from outside of the story.

Vocabulary

All vocabulary words are split up by chapter. You will be having weekly vocabulary quizzes on these words, in addition to the weekly root word quizzes. Your homework will be to define the words on a separate sheet of paper. The page numbers on which to find the words in the novel are provided for you.

Chapter 1:Chapter 3:Chapter 5:

Covey (1)judicious (22)wrenched (59)

Detachment (3)disparagement (25)bared (59)

Rigidity (5)reluctant (27)preservation (60)

Savage (5)solemnly (28)skirled (62)

Plaintively (5)probed (29)exhilaration (62)

Strenuous (8)dissembling (32)interval (63)

Consolation (9)subsided (33)edifice (63)

Ignorance (9)frantic (33)rummaged (64)

Avarice (9)adoration (35)forestalled (65)

Indigent (9)taut (35)crouching (65)

Discontent (10)cozened (39)divert (65)

Suppliant (12)lucence (39)fondled (66)

Chapter 2:Chapter 4:Chapter 6:

Bulwark (14)tithe (42)monotonously (69)

Undulating (17)countenanced (42)lumbered (69)

Obscured (17)vigor (44)resinous (70)

Perceptible (17)dignity (45)interwoven (71)

Deliberately (18)stalwart (47)sentinel (72)

Decency (18)benign (47)guttural (72)

Speculatively (18)contemptuous (49)goading (75)

Deftly (19)spurned (49)petulant (80)

Writhed (19)contrary (50)murmur (82)

Incandescence (19)monstrosity (51)intercession (84)

Instinctively (20)brooding (53)germane (84)

Receding (20)lethargy (55)malignant (89)

Chapter Questions

These questions are to be completed in your Literature notebook. They must be answered in complete sentences. All questions should be used to study for your unit test on The Pearl.

Chapter 1:

Who are the members of Kino’s family?
Make an inference about why Kino’s wife always wakes up before him. What does this suggest about her character?
What is the first song that Kino hears? How does the use of this metaphor affect the text?
What is the first thing Kino does when he awakens? What is the first thing Juana does? Why does the author feel that it is important to include these details in the story?
What type of wildlife does Kino encounter in this chapter?
Describe Kino’s physical appearance.
Explain Kino’s morning routine.
When the scorpion appears on the hanging box, what song does Kino hear? How does the author use this song figuratively? (What does it represent)
What causes the scorpion to sting Coyotito? Where does it sting him?
What is Kino’s first reaction? What is Juana’s first reaction? Which seems more logical?
Considering the danger her child is in, what request does Juana make? Why do Kino and the others suggest that this is not a good idea?
Evaluate Juana’s decision to go to the doctor. Was it a good decision?
Who is looking down upon Kino, Juana and the other natives as they enter the city? Why is this ironic?
Explain how Kino feels about the doctor. Why?
The doctor’s servant refuses to speak to Kino in old language. Why would this upset Kino?
Describe the doctor’s lifestyle. What does this suggest about social classes in this town?
The doctor’s statement, “I’m a doctor, not a veterinarian” on page 11 suggests what about his character?
Make an inference about why the servant speaks in the old language to Kino only after he goes to see the doctor.
After Kino shows the doctor the eight ugly pearls he has to pay the doctor, the servant leaves and returns right away. Infer why the servant returned so soon.
What emotion is Kino experiencing at the end of chapter 1?

Chapter 2:

You may have noticed that Steinbeck gives great detail about the setting at the beginning of chapter two. Why do you think Steinbeck put so much attention into describing the details of the setting?
Choose 5 adjectives of your own to summarize the setting described in chapter two.
Why is it said that the natives living on the shore don’t trust their eyes?
Why is Kino’s canoe so important to him?
Do you think that Juana always accompanies Kino with the baby out to dive for pearls? Speculate as to why she might be going today.
In chapter 2, Juana puts a poultice on Coyotito’s wound. Why do you think she has waited so long?
Interpret the author’s meaning of the following quote: “She had not prayed directly for the recovery of the baby- she had prayed that they might find a pearl with which to hire a doctor to cure the baby, for the minds of people are as unsubstantial as the mirage of the Gulf”.
What does Kino hope to find out in the ocean?
What tools does Kino use when diving?
What songs does Kino hear as he’s gathering oysters on the ocean floor? Why do you think the author uses the concept of songs in this chapter?
Once Kino comes back up to the surface, he waits until he has opened all the other pearls to open the oyster he thinks may contain a great pearl. Why?
Identify the irony at the end of chapter two.

Chapter 3

What is a “colonial animal” as used on page 21? What is Steinbeck’s purpose in comparing a town to a colonial animal?
The priest, the shopkeepers, the doctor and the beggars all wonder about the pearl that Kino has found. What do you imagine they are thinking?
What is the goal of the pearl buyers in town?
What has happened in the past if a pearl buyer offered too low of a price for a pearl?
What is the relationship among the pearl buyers?
How did Kino become “every man’s enemy” by finding the pearl? Does he know this is happening? Explain.
What does Kino plan to do with his new wealth?
How does Kino think Coyotito’s education will benefit the village as a community?
The last two paragraphs on page 26 explain the two possible reactions the neighbors will have to Kino and his future. In one reaction, they are proud of him. In the other, they call him foolish. What does this tell you about the neighbors? Explain.
What is Kino’s reaction to the priest’s visit?
After everyone leaves for the evening, Kino feels “alone and unprotected”. All of the natural sounds around him make him feel uneasy. What word would best describe Kino’s emotions at this point? Explain your choice of words.
Kino is very superstitious about plans he has made for his family in anticipation of the wealth the pearl will bring. Explain his suspicions and how they have begun to affect him.
When the doctor and his servant arrive, the doctor explains that he was busy earlier in the day. He says this is the first chance he has had to come and see the baby. Does Kino believe him? Cite evidence from the book to explain your answer.
How does the doctor manipulate Kino into letting him look at his son?
Do you think Coyotito would have actually become sick again? Explain your answer using specific details from the text.
Why does the doctor lie and pretend he doesn’t know about Kino’s pearl? Is Kino fooled? Explain.
When talking to the doctor, what mistake does Kino involuntarily make that puts his family in jeopardy? How does he try to correct it?
During the night, an intruder trying to find the pearl awakens Kino. What is Kino’s reaction? What does it tell you about Kino’s character?
How does Juana react? Is Kino supportive of her? Explain.
What word best describes Kino and Juana’s attitudes the next morning? Explain.

Chapter 4:

To what or whom is the opening paragraph of chapter 4 referring? Explain.
How do the pearl buyers intend to appraise the value of the pearl? Cite evidence from the book to support your opinion
Who will accompany Kino and his family into town to sell the pearl? Why?
How do Kino and Juana prepare for their trip into the city?
In your own words, what is the theme of the story Juan Tomas tells Kino about their ancestors who tried to sell their pearls for more money?
How have Kino and his ancestors been treated for four hundred years? By whom? How have they learned to act because of this treatment?
Does the first pearl buyer that Kino comes across seem genuine? Should Kino trust him, in your opinion? Why or why not?
Looking closely at the text, determine what the first pearl buyer’s true reaction is to Kino’s pear.
What is the first buyer’s explanation for why he will only offer a thousand pesos for it?
What does the first pearl buyer do to try to convince Kino that his offer is fair? How is he being deceitful?
The text said that Kino “felt the creeping of fate, the circling of wolves, the hover of vultures.” What is the significance and meaning of this quote?
What are the offers from the other pearl buyers?
In this chapter, a conflict exists between Kino and the pearl buyers. How does this conflict propel the action of the plot forward?
How do Kino’s neighbors feel about his decision to accept or not accept the offers from the pearl buyers?
What are Kino’s true feelings about traveling to the capital with his pearl?
Does Juan Tomas believe Kino’s problems will end if he goes to the capital and gets a good price for the pearl? Explain.
After Kino is attacked for a second time, what is Juana’s reaction?
Kino assures Juana, “I am a man,” several times at the end of chapter 4. Why does he do this?

Chapter 5:

At the beginning of chapter 5, why do you think Kino follows Juana to the beach rather than stopping her immediately?
What do you think has caused Juana to take the situation with the pearl into her own hands after having listened to Kino for so long?
Is Kino’s violence towards Juana surprising? Explain.
The text states, “It means that Kino would drive his strength against a mountain and plunge his strength against the sea. Juana, in her woman’s soul, knew that the mountain would stand while the man broke himself; that the sea would surge while the man drowned in it”. Explain the meaning of this passage.
How is the mood affected by the use of the phrase “the old life was gone forever”.
When Juana sees Kino, the figure, and the “dark-bladed” knife on the path, what conclusion does she make?
Why does Juana insist that Kino’s explanation that he was attacked will not be enough to keep the family safe?
How does Kino plan to take his family away in the night? Why does his plan fail?
Kino doesn’t even consider taking another canoe. What does this tell you about his character?
Infer who might have set the brush house on fire. Explain your reasoning.
Explain the irony in the statements, “The light made him afraid” and then, “for light was danger to him”.
Who tries to help Kino and his family? How?
Juan Tomas tries to convince Kino that he still has the option to get rid of the pearl. Do you think this would help? Explain your thoughts.

Chapter 6: