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Kino as a Hero (Analysis of the Pearl)

Kino as a Hero What makes a hero ? When we think of heroes‚ we think of big names‚ big powers‚ and amazing deeds. However‚ Merriam-Webster defines a hero as a man with distinguished courage who tries to do the best he can for others around him‚ thus stating that you do not need to do outrageous deeds to be a hero ‚ such as Kino . In the novella The Pearl by John Steinbeck‚ Kino ‚ the protagonist‚ is most certainly a hero because he is a courageous man who does what he can for his family and his people

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The Pearl: Kinos Personality

defined as : a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as money) than is needed. Throughout The Pearl ‚ Kino changes immensely‚ some for the better‚ but mostly for the worse. Protection and greed are the two most predominate traits shown by Kino in the novella. In John Steinbeck’s‚ The Pearl ‚ a novella showing Kino’s personality symbolizes protection and greed. Essentially Kino and the pearl are one in the same. Both innocent and willing until the corruption of wealth and mans greedy ambitions

Character Analysis of Kino from "The Pearl"

Kino ‚ a character from the story "The Pearl ‚" is a prime example of a developing character. From the start through to the end‚ he develops drastically. At the beginning‚ he was thought out to be a good loyal husband but as time went on he became a selfish‚ greedy person who would do anything for money.<br><br>When the story began Kino seemed to be a good husband who wanted nothing more than to be able to support his family. After a scorpion had stung Coyotito‚ Kino prayed that he would find a pearl

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Character analysis of Kino in "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck.

Kino ‚ the main character in the novel "The Pearl " is an example of a common man faced with the daily concerns and dangers of living in poverty. From the start to the end of the novel Kino develops drastically. At the beginning of the novel he is shown to be a kind and loyal husband but as the story continues he becomes an ’animal‚’ a man whom is driven by greed and willing do anything for money. When the story begins‚ Kino is a man perfectly content with his situation despite the lack of material

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Analysis Of Kino From The Pearl By John Steinbeck

Kino from the The Pearl by John Steinbeck is a take action before thinking kind of person‚ which is also known as impulsive. To begin‚ “Then Kino’s fist closed over the pearl and his emotion broke over him. He put his head back and howled. His eyes rolled up and he screamed and his body was rigid” (Steinbeck 20). Kino did not even think if he wanted the village to now he had the pearl . After he screamed there was no turning back from the villagers coming to his canoe and finding out he had the pearl

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The Relationship Of Kino And Juana

The Relationship of Kino and Juana • In the course of a novel a relationship will change. It may grow and develop or it may deteriorate entirely. • The relationship between Kino and Juana is one that is certainly tested. • In the beginning of the novel they are a loving couple‚ entirely devoted to each other. For Kino this is represented in the ‘song of the family’. His love for Juana is the spark that starts off this song. • Personal Comment: I particularly like the opening scene where we see the

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In John Steinbeck’s story The Pearl ‚ Kino ‚ the main character‚ is being portrayed as a stubborn man who becomes brave and bright‚ to know and confront his enemies. First‚ he portrays a stubborn man by not listening to Juana when she tells him that the pearl is evil. Second‚ Kino shows bravery when he goes down and kills the trackers to save his family.. Finally‚ he becomes bright by realizing the pearl is evil and how he becomes a hero . Throughout the story‚ Kino changes his attitudes about the

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The literary novel‚ The Pearl ‚ by John Steinbeck ends in a horrible tragedy. However‚ who is to blame? The story in a nut shell is basically about a man‚ Kino ‚ and his wife‚ Juana‚ and their baby Coyotito. In the beginning‚ Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion and because they were Indians and the fact that they could not pay for the treatment‚ the doctor refused to aid Coyotito. Kino became really lucky on his canoe‚ finding the Pearl of the World‚ pretty much the equivalent of winning the lottery.

The Pearl written by John Steinbeck‚ is a book about Kino a poor diver‚ gathering pearls from the Gulf beds of Mexico that once brought great wealth to the Kings of Spain and now provide Kino ‚ Juana‚ and their infant son with meager subsistence. Then‚ during a day of diving‚ Kino loom’s from the sea with a pearl diffrent then the rest‚ bigger and more beautiful than any other. With the great pearl comes hope‚ the promise of comfort and of security. John Steinbeck uses Kino’s canoe‚ the pearl ‚ and

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To create this symbol‚ Steinbeck personifies the town. The Gulf Another important element of the setting is the sea. It‚ too‚ takes on symbolic importance in the story. The Gulf provides the villagers with their livelihood and sustenance-fish and pearls . However‚ like the town‚ it cannot be trusted. Steinbeck uses the sea to make his readers aware that things are not always what the seem. "Although the morning was young‚ the hazy mirage was up. The uncertain air that magnified some things and blotted

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Kino from Novel “The Pearl”

A plan once made and visualized becomes a reality...never to be destroyed but easily to be attacked. Thus Kino's future was real, but, having set it up, other forces were set up to destroy it." (Steinbeck 29). A historical fiction novella written by John Steinbeck: The Pearl, tells an intriguing story of a poor fisherman, Kino, who discovered the finest wealth: the pearl of the world. Subsequently, after finding the pearl, Kino begins to dream about all the enjoyment he will receive and how he can get an essence of life he had never envisioned of having. As the pearl is under his possession, the villagers become envious and repeatedly try to take ownership of the pearl and make his life tough. He cannot protect his family because of the dangers arising around him. Soon, Kino loses everything he had once thought of gaining, making him vacate his village trying to sell the pearl to the capitol. Kino has no other choice left but to hike through the rocky mountains hoping to be free from his enemies. He only then realizes the evil within the pearl when he loses the greatest pleasure of life, that no human can gain back: his son. The author uses irony to show when one tries to eliminate obstacles standing in the way of marvelous opportunities, they often destroy more than gain.

Kino is focused on the pearl's opportunities that he fails to see his son, Coyotito is growing ill from a scorpion bite. Occurring to him, Kino journeys to the city, hoping that the doctor might be thoughtful and give his baby the proper treatment. Everyone in the village recognizes the doctor will only help the wealthy but, Kino has faith the doctor will be courteous and heal Coyotito. The doctor has always taken advantage of the community because of their lack of education, to make him more powerful and wealthy. Though the doctor has no intention of caring for the baby, he is curious to see if Kino has the pearl. He makes his way to the small home and brews up a remedy for the mourning baby: 'Then he worked very deftly. He took the baby and pinched its lower lip until it opened its mouth. His fat fingers placed the capsule far back on the baby's tongue, back of the point where he could spit it out, and then from the floor, he picked up the little pitcher of pulque and gave Coyotito a drink, and it was done." (Steinbeck ....). Luckily for Coyotito, Juana, Kino's wife, had sucked the poison out of him and put poultice, a plant to relieve soreness, on the wound. Kino, on the other hand, does not know if the medicine is harming the baby or helping him. From the amount of money the pearl is worth, Kino is hoping to give his son a better education, have him baptized, buy nicer clothes, own a rifle, and have a nourishing amount of food to eat.

Consequently, Kino isn't aware that having such a valuable item makes him vulnerable to having a huge loss. Since finding the pearl of the world, Kino has grown so attached to it that he gets distant from his family as tensions increase. Though Kino pays no attention to the warnings of the pearl bringing harm, he is afraid to trust anyone because they may steal from him. When the doctor comes to his home to 'cure" Coyotito, he uses a questionable white powder that may have poisoned the baby to make him appear to be suffering. The doctor's acts make Kino feel frightened and someone will take the pearl away from him so, he buries the pearl in a new place. He admits to his wife, Juana, that he is afraid of everyone, and he feels as if 'He had lost one world and gained another." (Steinbeck....). When Kino has too much thought on a value: the pearl, the real world seems as if it has vanished. Kino's mental barrier is trying to shield himself and his treasure from society, suggesting that he doesn't want to be affected by anything around him. Kino believes the pearl is too valuable to be exposed to any barrier along his path. He continually tries to block out anything that threatens the pearl and his family's safety and move farther away from his village, for him to achieve his dreams. Kino tries to hold his pearl 'hostage" between the walls of his home in order to keep the pearl out of his enemies hands. As his enemies plan to rival his, Kino tries to hold on to the pearl as the world continues to move on.

Kino is trying to reunite to the present day and forced to learn his lesson. Starting when, Juana decides to take action for the sake of their family at the break of dawn, when she sneaks out silently, to discard the pearl. Kino senses the movement through the darkness of their house and follows her to the bay. While Juana was about to throw the pearl into the bay, Kino strikes her before she could of throw the pearl. Kino leaves, only to be attacked by a stranger, whom he kills by slashing his throat. Know a murder, Kino rushes to his house to find Coyotito and Juana. Kino is devastated when an intruder has attempted to steal the pearl from his house, which is nothing more than a pile of ash. Kino has no choice but to run away at night with his family, on a long journey through the hostile cities in the north, where he plans to sell the pearl. To make everything worse, Kino sees trackers off in the distance, who are very experienced at noticing the smallest details in the sand. Kino, Juana, and Coyotito make their way to the mountain, but, they struggle up the steep slope in the rock where they can rest for a while. Knowing the trackers will discover them soon, Kino creeps up to where the trackers are preparing to kill them. Unfortunately, Coyotito makes a small, faint, cry, and one of the the trackers hears, and thinks it's a coyote pup. In an instant without hesitation, one of the trackers picks up their guns and fires: '...Kino's brained cleared from its red concentration and he knew the sound... from the little cave in the side of the stone mountain, the cry of death." (Steinbeck 87). Coyotito's death is the worst form of loss that any parent could have to face. Especially for Kino, he ends up learning his lesson in the form of his son's death. The death of Coyotito, snaps Kino back to reality, realizing the pearl had only brought evil to his family.

When people are overly attached to their wealth, their selfishness often leads them to loss of value. Steinbeck displays this to readers by a thematic idea of Kino's actions: he clings on to the pearl, despite what his family and friends say, his refusal to sell the pearl to the dealers and gets Coyotito killed by focusing on his enemies and not the safety of his family. The events in this book are all based on the past, but, it can be related to modern-day situations. For instance, Kino wants to become rich and have many items and many individuals want to win the lottery and receive a greater income. However, the few lucky people, mostly the poor, who win don't realize the fate that it comes along with it. They are clueless about how to handle that much money so, they end up with no money at all. Lottery winners often do the same as Kino, they dream of all the new things they could get until they find themselves bankrupt and left with less than they started with. It is only a matter of time when the person ends up with little to no money left.

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Kino's Role In The Pearl

Civilization tells us as men were supposed to be the protector. Protector of the land, family and even our community. Us as men have the responsibility to make sure everything goes right and stable which is Kino role in the book The Pearl. Kino is the protector and provider just like any other man. Kino and his family become fortunate to find the pearl and where then the pearl causes a lot of controversies such as his baby son dying by getting shot, Kino and his wife getting in domestic disputes over the pearl and just all together trackers are trying to end Kino’s family life.Kino who is the protector starts to have conflict off of evil pearl. John Steinbeck creates dramatic error such as their hut being burned down, their son getting shot …show more content…

Kino and his family are attacked, hut burned down and the death of their son. Which I don’t agree on how they ended up because the people in the town were just envious because they found it, plus Kino was a hardworking man just like the other people in their town they shouldn’t try to destroy Kino family just because of jealousy. Kino’s family does have any outside family really they only have each other but I feel they do have enemies only off of the strength of the pearl. Kino and his wife relationship are based on their superior traits which are Kino physical traits and Juana’s logic and thought process. Juana doesn’t have any physical traits about her personality but kino does with his hard-working methods that transfer into physical actions. I don’t think Kino will ever be the same after all of the things he experienced so mentally I think Kino is in a whole different place. Whereas Juana she’s in a different place because the death of their son and the frustration of them fighting trackers etc. As a family, we are considered to stick together which is exactly what Juana did when Kino wanted to separate from his family for a better chance of

In this essay, the author

• Analyzes how john steinbeck creates dramatic errors in kino's role in the pearl.
• Opines that kino and his wife relationship are based on their superior traits which are kino physical traits and juana's logic and thought process.
• Opines that the shift in the character's personality and all of the things they've been through scarred them.

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Human Lot To Try And Fail Analysis

Set during the colonial era in Mexico, the story reveals the subjugation that the natives had to face and it shows the protagonist’s, Kino’s, attempt to go against the norms of the society and ask for something that was frankly unrealistic. This part of the story is related to the creative lens because Kino tried very hard to secure a future for his family but because the circumstances were not in his favor, he failed. It wasn’t socially accepted to ask for an education or a court marriage at that time for the natives because a native cannot desire to have what the colonists have. In this part of the story, the author uses the literary element of conflict to convey the message that even though Kino had the means to secure a future for himself, because he is a native and because he is aspiring to go against the social norms, he will eventually fail. As a result, it is clearly proven in The Pearl that humans will try to achieve something farfetched and will be unsuccessful in doing

Winning The Lottery In John Steinbeck's The Pearl And Does Money Equal Happiness

In the novel by John Steinbeck, Kino finds “The Pearl of the World”, but it soon causes him to worry and fear that everyone is out to get him. For example, one situation that illustrates this was when, “Juana, sitting by the firehole,

Grapes of Wrath versus The Pearl

"The Pearl" is about a poor man named Kino, his wife Juana, and their baby boy

The Pearl by John Stienbeck Movie versus Novel

In the novel, the main character, Kino, goes out to find a pearl in hopes of getting money to pay the doctor to treat Coyotito, his son, who has been bitten by a scorpion. Kino discovers the biggest pearl anyone has ever seen, and believes the pearl will bring nothing but good for him and his family. The pearl does change the lives of Kino, his wife Juana, and Coyotito, but not in the way he had hoped. When the people in La Paz find out about Kino’s pearl, he is visited by a greedy priest and doctor, the deceitful pearl buyers try to scam him into selling it to them for less than it’s worth, and the pearl was almost stolen twice. Kino kills the second thief in self-defense...

Greed In The Great Gatsby

He is driven by greed, so much so that he could even see dreams form in the pearl. Kino is the head of a modest household and until he finds the pearl he lives a satisfied life with all he needs for his family to be happy. As soon as Kino finds the pearl he starts to want possessions he never wanted before. He dreams of education for Coyotito, marrying Juana in a Catholic church, purchasing new clothing for his family, and getting a harpoon and a rifle for himself. “It was the rifle that broke down the barriers . . . for it is said that humans are never satisfied, that you give them one thing and they want something more” (Steinbeck 32). Located within a small poverty-stricken community, a pearl diver named Kino finds “the Pearl of the World” and becomes suddenly rich, he begins to want items that he thought were impossible before. As Kino thinks more and more of what the pearl can do for him, he starts to think that it will raise his social status as well. This is only the beginning of Kino’s greediness, for the more he gets, the more he will want, and this begins to dehumanize him. Kino focuses on the wealth of the pearl and causes him to change his values about life. In the beginning, Kino is only focused on his family, once Kino finds the pearl he becomes more focused on the pearl, rather than his family. Kino cares a lot more about losing the pearl rather than something bad happening to his loved

Is Man Inherently Good Or Evil In The Pearl Essay

“Her arm was up to throw when he leaped at her and caught her arm and wrenched the pearl from her. He struck her in the face… He heard the rush, got his knife out and lunged at one dark figure and felt his knife go home,”pg 59. In the previous quote, Kino’s wife Juana steals the pearl and tries to throw it into the ocean but is beaten and punished by Kino. Soon after this two mysterious figures try to steal the pearl from Kino and he violently stabs one of them. The only reason that this happens is because humans love attention, and if somebody has something that you do not have you want it. Juana wishes that Kino would quit worrying about the pearl so much, and focus more on his family. This pushes her to try to steal the pearl and return it back to its rightful home. Whereas, the unknown figures are jealous of Kino’s pearl and they wish that they had it for themselves, this is why they try murdering Kino, and stealing the pearl. This is not the only instinct shown through this quote though, humans are very protective of there stuff and often times violence can ensue if people try stealing what is rightfully yours. Kino is very protective of his pearl and when everybody tries taking it from him he becomes violent and chaos comes soon after. Being protective is why you have to teach babies how to share, and why many wars break out.

Valuing Family over Material Possessions: Analysis of The Pearl

For example, in the story, it says “ He struck her face with his clenched fist and she fell among the boulders, and he kicked her in the side” (59). This quote shows that Kino put the pearl above Juana when he mistreated her for getting rid of the pearl. Nobody should mistreat family members just because they want something. Another example from the story is “Hush, said Kino. “Do not speak any more”(39). This quote shows that Kino treats Juana like she is not equal to the pearl and like she is not equal to Kino. He treats the pearl better than he treats Juana. He demands her to do stuff to protect the pearl and to make sure it is not harmed. Kino does not listen to Juana when she says it is evil because he only sees satisyfing things in the pearl and he only trusts what he sees in it not what his family tells him. These pieces of evidence are connected to the theme because they show how Kino treated the Pearl better than his own wife

The Pearl John Steinbeck Analysis

At first, the pearl symbolized aa amazing providence. With the discovery of the great pearl, Kino began to have hope for Coyotito’s future and thought of the different possibilities that lead before him. However, as the town found out about ‘“the Pearl of the World”’(Steinbeck, 1947, p. 23), it began to have an injurious effect into Kino’s simplistic life (SparkNotes Editors, 2002). Juana and Kino’s brother began to seek the pearl as a threat rather than a blessing as the pearl began to symbolize and associate more materialistic desires. With Kino’s desire to acquire wealth from the pearl, he altered from a happy and content father into a savage criminal. By Kino’s demonstration of the destruction of innocence from greed and desire, the pearl soon became a symbol of human destruction. Kino’s gluttony shortly leads him to violently mistreat his wife and also to the death of his only son, Coyotito (SparkNotes Editors, 2002). SparkNotes Editors (2002) believed that his greed ultimately isolated Kino from his cultural customs and society. Overall, according to Wheeler (2008), the parable’s moral lesson was that “money cannot buy

The Pearl Quote Analysis

At first we learn Kino only wants the best for his family and gets the pearl only for medicine. Then, as the story continues he starts wanting more for himself and for his family. For example, he says he wanted a gun and wanted to get married, even though they are happy as they are. Not only does he start wanting more, but starts acting differently. Juana starts to see these changes in her husband, so she tries to throw the pearl away. The way Kino reacts to this is by Sprinting after Juana and to stop her he punches and kicks her. This shows how he hit his own wife just to stop her from throwing a material. Then he doesn't even have to kick her, but he does out of greed and frustration. Then later in the story he starts to care again for the family, but as long as he has the pearl he still is ready to fight or even kill for it. Two trackers and a rifleman are after Kino because they want the pearl for themselves. Kino, Juana, and Coyotito hide in a cave thinking that the three men will walk right past

Literary Criticism Of The Pearl

Readers can tell from the statement that many of the people Kino encounters after finding the pearl become bitter “friends”. At this point, Kino and Juana begin to realize that the pearl is bringing bad luck upon them. They are taken advantage of by the doctor and he decides to visit them after knowing they have the pearl. “This pearl is like a sin”(56). Juana begins to realize the pearl is bringing them bad luck, but Kino still trusts that it’s a gift. Readers can also assume that people are trying to take the pearl when Kino is suddenly attacked during the night. “Blood oozed down from his scalp and there was a long…”(56). Readers can now confirm that the pearl has changed and now represents evil. The pearl also begins to destroy Kino and Juana’s relationship as they have different opinions on what to do with the pearl. After Kino wakes up and follows Juana when she wakes up and walks out, readers know he has started to lose full trust in her. “He rolled up to his feet and followed her silently as she had gone” (58). Through the symbolism of the pearl and what it brings upon Kino and Juana, the author emphasizes how the pearl is not what it first appears to be, which was

John Steinbeck Figurative Language Analysis

Kino, a family man with a dream, transforms into something not human but quite opposite. Juana and Kino both lived in poverty until coming across the pearl. Though the pearl was a miracle, it soon converts Kino into an animal to a machine. John Steinbeck, the author, dehumanizes Kino using figurative language.

Humanity's Struggle With Violence Illustrated in Steinbeck's The Pearl

One example of this universal theme of humanity’s struggle with violence that occurred in this novel happened when Kino violently attacked his wife to keep her from throwing his “precious” pearl into the sea. “ . . . he leaped at her and caught her arm and wrenched the pearl from her. He struck her in the face with ...

Themes In The Pearl By John Steinbeck

This leads to change and, eventually, downfall. Before he finds the pearl, Kino “was a well-liked man” (43), and adored by all of his neighbors. Everyone looked up to his kindness and sympathy, but when he finds the Pearl, he changes. The pearl takes control over him, and he becomes too obsessed with getting his money. He loses his many things over it: “now it is my misfortune and my life and I will keep it” (66). The neighbors even suspect, “‘what a pity it would be if the pearl should destroy them all.’” (43) For example, KIno loses his family when he tries to protect the pearl and defies the pearl buying system, and when he mishandles Juana. Loisng his canoe symbolizes thi sloss of his family. He also loses his sanity. he beats Juana and kills four men. He “‘killed a man’” (61) and joins in many fights. For greed, he turns down the salesman`s offer for the pearl and ends with nothing left. Kino has the chance to take the money offered to him and be done, but he is greedy and he wants more. Then, at the end of the book, Kino throws the pearl into the sea, and with it, all the money he could possibly gain. He also lets the doctor treat Coyotito, even with his doubts, and now can not pay him because the pearl is his payment method, which is now gone. He thinks his money is secure, and in his mind, he is a rich man. This is not necessarily true, as readers learn, and because he was so secure, he must now pay for unnecessary

Essay On The Role Of Women In The Pearl

Over history, women have had a stereotype of being subservient, passive, and deferent. However, John Steinbeck’s novella The Pearl disproves this epithet. The story revolves around a husband and wife, Kino and Juana, and their baby son, Coyotito. The characters experience a meaningful journey and learn a manifold of lessons. Although multiple themes unravel in the story, the author highlights the roles and development of women. Steinbeck’s The Pearl depicts various women’s roles and their development, primarily in Juana’s words and actions.

The Action of The Pearl

The discovery of the "magnificent" pearl changed the lives of Kino and Juana severely because they were not used to this kind of wealth. Before they found the pearl, Kino and Juana lived a happy, humble and quiet life. "Kino heard the little splash of the morning waves on the beach. It was very good - Kino closed his eyes again to listen to his music."(Pg. 1-2) Kino loved the simple life; nevertheless whenever things were beginning to look good and simple something went wrong.

More about Kino's Role In The Pearl

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Kino's Pearl

John steinbeck dialectical journal.

After finding the "Pearl of the World," Kino struggles to protect the pearl, himself, and

The Pearl Of The World Symbolism Essay

In order to sell his pearl for the highest price possible, Kino was forced to go to the capital. This was due to being cheated by the local pearl buyers. “I have been cheated,” Kino cried fiercely. “My pearl is not for sale here. I will go perhaps even to the capital.” By doing so, Kino wasn’t only risking a long journey, but also putting his family in harm’s

Kino At The Beginning Of The Pearl By John Steinbeck

The difference between Kino at the beginning of The Pearl and the ending is the amount of happiness Kino has. In The pearl on page 89 John Steinbeck states " And in the surface of the pearl he saw Coyotito lying in the little cave with the top of his head shot away." At the beginning of the story all Kino had was happiness because he would finally be able to give his son the life he deserved with the fortune that he would obtain from selling the pearl.

John Steinbeck Good Vs Evil

To wrap it all up, the type of Good and Evil presented in The Pearl, is not one positive one compared to other situations. Kino could have avoided many problems if it wasn’t for his ignorance. Instead of thinking of reality, he was focused on the future which caused him a big loss and

The Pearl By John Steinbeck Research Paper

Kino no longer saw the pearl as “beautiful, rich and warm and lovely” (19), but rather “gray and ulcerous” (89). The melody that was “glowing and gloating and triumphant” (19) was now twisted, “distorted and insane” (89). Because of people imposing their selfish desires on the pearl, it was ugly to Kino. He, through the death of his son, understood that the people of his village had corrupted the pearl with what should have been a beautiful, elegant means for a better future. However, once Kino and Juana threw the pearl back into the gulf, it “settled into the lovely green water…the waving branches of the algae called to it and beckoned to it” (90). The pearl becomes destructive and dangerous when it is entangled with notions of material value. However, it is returned to its original beauty only after it is thrown into the gulf. Kino’s action of throwing it back into the ocean represents him finally rejecting the greed that consumed him.

John Steinbeck Thesis Statement

I believe that is because Kino thinks that the pearl is worth a lot of money. Therefore, even if Kino had an evil feeling and bad things were happening to him, he still kept moving forward. For example, Steinbeck quotes: “Her arm was up to throw when he leaped at her and caught her arm and wrenched the pearl from her. He struck her in the face with his clenched fist and she fell among the boulders, and he kicked her in the side.” (Steinbeck, 59). This quote is related to my thesis statement because Kino is trying to stop Juana from throwing the pearl away in order to move

John Steinbeck Hero's Journey

“Kino could see Juana in a shawl, stiff with newness and a new skirt, he could see himself dressed in new white clothes with a new hat, holding a new harpoon better than the one he had previously broken. He could see Coyotito, he wore a blue sailor suit from the United States and a little yachting cap, these are all things he wanted, that he could now have.” Kino states everything he wants and can now get in life which makes him more arrogant, leading him on a path of destruction. This also gives Kino something to look back on after it's too late. “In the moonlight he could see the frantic, frightened eyes, and Kino aimed and fired between the eyes. Suddenly he heard the keening, moaning, rising hysterical cry from the little cave in the side of the stone mountain, the cry of death. He hastily scaled the mountain and entered the cave to bear the sight of a small limp heavy bundle. The shawl was dried with blood, and the bundle swayed a little swayed a little as it was held.” Kino has sacrificed the one thing he cares most in the world about for a simple pearl which again proves the point that Kino is truly a tragic hero. Kino believes that if he can come out safely with both his family and the pearl intact that he can live happily ever after, but with the pearl comes evil and death. Later in the novel when Kino is forced to choose between his family and

Pearl Study Guide

They feel that the buyers are trying to cheat them. Kino now plans to go to the capital to sell the pearl.

Humanity's Struggle With Violence Illustrated in Steinbeck's The Pearl

However, Kino was enraged with anger at Juana for trying to throw away his pearl. The pearl had changed him for the worse, it had become part of him he loved the pearl. Kino would do anything to make sure that nothing would happen to it, even if it meant beating up his wife in order to save his pearl.

The Pearl Character Analysis

Although Kino performed many heroic acts, he also acted foolishly in various circumstances. He lives with his wife Juana and his son Coyotito. The novel tells his story when he happens to find a large pearl in the beach that has the capacity to either bring him death or happiness. After finding this big pearl, he believes that this is going to the beginning of a new chapter for him and his family because poverty was eventually going to leave them. His foolishness was first seen when he announced the pearl that he had found making everyone to try to steal it from him. Knowing the worth of the pearl, he should have kept the information to himself and sold it later. After seeing what people were able to do to him because of the pearl, he should have just sold it at the price the buyers said because it eventually led to the death of his son. The buyers only referred to it as a ‘fool’s gold’ and that it was not worth anything. Kino’s greed put his family in danger and caused the death of his only son. Even after he was convinced that the pearl was evil by his wife, he says, "The pearl has become my soul. If I shall give it up, I

Thesis On The Pearl

After discovering the pearl, however, Kino begins to dream of possibilities for his family, most importantly an education for his son, which was something he previously never thought of as he considered it absolutely out of reach. His dreams gradually start becoming more and more materialistic as he stares at the pearl’s surface. Consequently, he drifts apart from his culture and family customs, he escapes town and ends up killing a man, being inherently deceived by the pearl. When he returns to the village, wrecked by the death of his son, he first offers Juana the chance to throw the pearl into the sea. This indicates that he has learned to value her sense of judgement and is, in a sense, yielding to her. But she insists on Kinoo throwing the pearl into the sea instead and that shows that she remains faithful to their previous alignment of life and as always, seek and strives s to preserve

Irony In The Pearl

He imagined a better life for his family. Despite everything that went wrong, despite people telling him to throw the pearl away, Kino continued to believe in the value and importance of the pearl. Early on Juana tried to convince Kino to get rid of the pearl, “‘This pearl is a sin! It will destroy us,’ and her voice rose shrilly ‘ throw it away.’”(John Steinbeck 38). Kino would have ordinarily taken into consideration his wife’s concerns and this was out of character. While under the spell of the pearl, It didn’t matter to him that Juana had his best interest in mind when she advised him to get rid of the pearl. Even after Kino was attacked, he was unwavering in his conviction in the value of the pearl, “but Kino’s face was set, and his will was set” Kino was given many chances to throw away the pearl, but yet he was stubborn and continued to believe in the pearl even though his world was falling apart and even though he could lose

The Power Of Power In The Pearl, By John Steinbeck

After fighting battles with himself, Kino began to lose his ability to control himself because he was set on his plan for his family that he once saw in the pearl. “He struck her in the face with his clenched fist and she fell among the boulders and he kicked her in the side.” (Steinbeck 59). Multiple instances have occured since Kino first got the pearl, including two attacks to steal it during the night, as well as thousands of eyes that have stared through him and looked into his soul full of secrets, making him feel scared throughout the day and night, worried that those eyes would turn into attacks on his pearl, which holds the future for his family. After Juana, Kino’s wife had enough jealous stares and greedy attacks, she took the pearl and boldly planned to throw it into the water, for it to drown with the wealth and the struggles attached to it. But, as Kino was constantly aware of everything occurring with the pearl, he didn't care whether it was his wife or a stranger, because he knew he had to attack and prevent the loss of the pearl, especially since he has such a close connection to it. “The pearl has become my soul. If I give it up, I shall lose my soul.” (Steinbeck 67). Kino cannot live without the pearl and as everyday goes by, his connection with the pearl grows stronger, and his

How Is Kino A Tragic Hero

Rather than wanting to do so as an act of kindness, the priest is motivated by Kino’s newfound treasure. He visits Kino and as he discusses the pearl, Kino begins to believe that wealth can fulfill all of his needs. Thus, he grows more attached to the pearl, and holds on to his desires more strongly. When attempting to sell his pearl, Kino’s wishes cause him to reject the low offers of the pearl buyers:

Kino's Decisions In The Pearl By John Steinbeck

In the novella, The Pearl, Kino is faced with many decisions that later impact his life in ways that he could never image. The Pearl tells the tale of a great pearl that could change the life of any man. Kino happened to be this man, but this great pearl caused nothing but havoc and harm to come upon his family. When they were running from all of the trouble the pearl had caused them, Kino’s son died, their hut burned down in the attempt to get away, and Kino had become a man of anger and violence.

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Kino character analysis in The Pearl 3 Pages 741 Words

             The perception of a person's character and credibility is based on ones actions and reactions, while facing various situations. The impressions that are developed by people based on the interpretations that are given reveals the characteristics that one holds and portrays throughout ones life. These ideas and standpoints are heavy perceived in the actions of Kino in John Steinbeck's The Pearl. The novel is a portrayal of Kino's self- centered acts, and his unwillingness to succumb to the reality of his poverty stricken society. Kino feels that if he fights for what he believes, he will be brought to the status of respect and peaceful living, but instead the evil that is brought out of him leads to the demise of his family. In The Pearl by John Steinbeck, Kino is on a journey to find wealth and success, while taking this journey he proves himself to be a loving protector, very determined; however, naive to realities of his life.              In the first chapters of the novel Kino is presented as a loving protector of his family. He seems to a good husband who wants nothing more than to support his family. The love that is reflected shows him to be the man that will do what is necessary to take care of what is important to him. As he supports his family, he protects them on many occasions, "Kino's hands leap to catch it... Kino had it, had it in his fingers, rubbing it to paste in his hands. He threw it down and beat it into the earth floor with his fist... but Kino beat and stamped the enemy until it was only a fragment and a moist place in the dirt"(5-6). This is an example of his selfless love that he presents himself to have for his son. The ability to risk ones life in order to save someone else is the characteristic that makes him the protector and loving person to his family..              The fight and determination that Kino reflects throughout the novel was that of a warrior. When he sees the demise and ...

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Kino's Obsession In The Pearl By John Steinbeck

Show More In the riveting novel, The Pearl, John Steinbeck introduces us to a character, Kino, who faces rigorous attempts to provide for his family with materialist items with the discovery of the Pearl. Throughout the novel, Kino has had multiple opportunities to rid himself of the Pearl and ultimately defeat his obsession yet fails in each attempt. Being encouraged by those around him who see this strain it’s having on himself as a person, as well as the multiple environmental disturbances (like songs of evil becoming increasingly common) he continues to hold on to this unrealistic idea that this Pearl will be or some value to him and his family. As a result of each of these factors Kino ultimately leads himself and his family to extreme poverty and …show more content… This in turn ties into his constant seeking of this greater price for the Pearl , something for his “family” then forming it into his obsession. Before the obsession shaped Kino into the Perry 5 man in which he is at the end of the novel, he states “It is said that humans are never satisfied, that you give them one thing and they want something more,” (Steinbeck 32) which is completely ironic in the given situation. Not only does Kino himself lose his way because of his desire to want something more, but Juana, the one who keeps him relatively sane during the entire process losses her sense of hope in the man she believed him to be. Viewing him as a type of unbreakable force, god like even, and unintentionally predicts their demise on the mountain, “There was no anger in her for Kino. He had said, ‘I am a man,’ and that meant certain things to Juana. It meant that he was half insane and half god. It meant 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” (Steinbeck 59-60). Juana knows that Kino is only a man, with or without the Pearl, he is nothing but a man who

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Kino As the Tragic Hero

The Pearl  by John Steinbeck is about a pearl diver, Kino, who discovers a valuable pearl. He is first shown as a poor pearl diver who lives a simple life in Mexico with his wife, Juana, and their son, Coyotito. However, his son, Coyotito, is strung by a scorpion and becomes very sick. In his effort to find ways to pay for medical bills, Kino discovers a huge and valuable pearl in the ocean. This discovery makes him develop hopes that it will bring wealth to his family (Morris 490). However, this discovery brings greed, violence, and tragedy into his life, contributing to misfortunes. News about the pearl spreads quickly among the townsfolk of La Paz, and everyone becomes interested in the pearl. For instance, he is immediately confronted by a greedy doctor, a priest, and businessmen who want the pearl for themselves. Additionally, he encounters people who want to steal the pearl leading to murder and forcing the family to flee their home. In the end, Kino realizes that the pearl has only brought misery and trouble in his life, and thus he throws it back into the ocean.

The Pearl by John Steinbeck portrays Kino as a tragic hero in various ways. Literature refers to a tragic hero as a person born with heroic qualities. This character finally faces greater destruction, suffering, and doom that ruins his life (Bates 41). Kino is shown as a tragic hero in the novel as he suffers the tragic flaw of greed after discovering a valuable pearl. Initially, Kino is shown as a poor man who lives a simple life with his family. However, his life drastically changes when he discovers a valuable pearl in the ocean. He becomes obsessed with this pearl and does not want to lose it. He states, “ This pearl has become my soul … if I give it up, I shall lose myself ” (Steinbeck 49). However, Kino’s downfall is traced back to his obsession with the pearl. This obsession makes him turn against his people, isolating himself from friends, neighbors, and family, leading to his ultimate downfall.

In addition, Kino’s tragic hero character is compounded by the corrupt social system within his community. The pearl buyers exploit his ignorance and lack of education to deny him his rightful profit. For instance, the priest takes advantage of him when he seeks spiritual guidance encouraging him to donate part of the pearl to the church (Bates 43). This interaction with the priest shows the injustice and corrupt nature of the colonial system. On the other hand, his encounter with the doctor shows the corrupt nature of the medical establishment and the capitalist system. For instance, when a scorpion strings Kino’s son, the doctor refuses to treat him, claiming the family cannot afford the cost (Bates 43). However, when the doctor learns about Kino’s discovery, he becomes interested in treating his son’s welfare, hoping to get a share of the pearl’s value. He offers compensation that is way below the value of the pearl. These interactions show the forces of injustice and corruption that Kino endured. As his obsession with the pearl intensifies, these actions of injustice and corruption intensify his violent behavior, contributing to the tragic ending.

Moreover, a tragic turn of events is seen when Kino kills a man tempted to steal his pearl, thinking he is protecting his family. When Kino and his wife try to sell the pearl, they are met with violence and greed from those around them. As a result, Kino becomes desperate to protect the pearl making him commit murder (Bates 44). After the killing, Kino and his family are forced to escape from the village, fearing retribution. Kino’s simple life is completely disrupted by his attachment to the pearl and his pursuit of wealth. In addition, Steinbeck shows Kino as a tragic hero in the novel’s final chapter. The tragedy climaxes when a group of men kills his son, mistaking him for a coyote. His dreams are shattered, and he realizes that the pearl has only brought more pain and suffering. Steinbeck states, “ For Kino’s world had caught fire, and the flames would destroy the whole of it ” (Steinbeck 84). He later casts the pearl back into the ocean, symbolizing his return to a poor pearl diver. After losing everything, Kino and Juana return to the village, where Kino realizes the impact of his obsession with the pearl, which leaves him alone and broken.

Nonetheless, Steinbeck uses various themes to show Kino as the tragic hero. For instance, he uses the theme of wealth and greed to show how they can ruin a person’s life (Karsten 3). When Kino discovers the valuable pearl, he is filled with hope that he will improve his family’s life. However, as the pearl’s value increases, the dangers and corruption surrounding it also increase. Kino’s obsession with it leads him to the path of destruction as he becomes violent in his quest to protect it. The author also uses the theme of racism and systemic injustice to contribute to Kino’s tragic ending (Karsten 6). The wealthy buyers conspire against Kino, exploiting his ignorance and lack of education to deny just compensation. He becomes a victim of racism, where the wealthy treat him as inferior. This oppressive colonial system, the exploitative capitalist system, corruption, and racism contribute to his downfall.

In conclusion, The Pearl by John Steinbeck shows Kino as a tragic hero. Steinbeck uses various literary techniques, such as themes, characters, and symbolism, to develop Kino’s character and downfall. Kino’s tragic flaw of obsession, greed for pearl, and corrupt social system contributed to his downfall. The tragic events that occur include a murder and the loss of his son, making him realize the destructive power of greed and wealth. The author highlights the impact of systemic injustices such as corruption and racism in Kino’s life. Therefore, this novel acts as a reminder of how greed can lead to tragedy and destruction and the importance of remaining grounded in what truly matters in life.

BATES B. “The Pearl As Tragedy.”  California Association of Teachers of English, Redlands . 1970: 41–44.

Steinbeck, J. “The Pearl [1945].”  New York: Bantam  1983.

Karsten, E. “Thematic Structure in the Pearl”  English Journal  1965: 1-7

Morris, H. “The Pearl: Realism and Allegory”  The English Journal  1963: 487-505

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