Character Analysis Of Juana In John Steinbeck's The Pearl

The novel The Pearl is set in the coast of Mexico in an unspecified time, although likely in pre-modern times. Kino, a pearl diver, and Juana, a housewife, have a son named Coyotito. They live in a village of brush houses with people of the same social status. The upper class live further into the town. Although impoverished, Kino’s family lived simple yet happy lives. The peace in their life is disturbed when Coyotito is stung by a scorpion. Kino hesitates, for the doctor’s race had treated his people cruelly for the past 400 years. They are refused because the family doesn’t have anything to pay for the treatment. They go search for a pearls, in hopes of using it to hire the doctor. Things take a turn for the better when Kino finds a pearl described as "as big a seagull's egg", “perfect as the moon” and "the greatest pearl on earth".

So far, I admire Juana the most.

She is portrayed as a traditional wife in their culture, but when the situation calls for it, she becomes a strong character which builds her an identity of her own. It was said that “..she could arch her back in child pain with hardly a cry. She could stand fatigue and hunger almost better than Kino himself. In the canoe she was like a strong man.” (Steinbeck 7) Her act of demanding the doctor for Coyotito is already courageous, and when told that the doctor wouldn’t come, her decision of seeking the doctor themselves proved Juana to be an absolute matriarchal figure. In a way, she can also be seen as optimistic. She hopes that things will go for her way by believing that divine intervention can happen (as seen by her superstitious and religious behavior). I commend Juana for doing something instead of waiting for miracles to happen. I think one should act if one wants something to be done, and that beliefs are just there to guide and reassure

you.
“I, I alone in the world am supposed to work for nothing-- and I am tired of it.”(Steinbeck 11) The part where the doctor refuses to treat Coyotito made me really angry. As a doctor, it should be his responsibility to treat patients regardless of their financial status. It is not only a matter of profession, it could boil down to an issue of morality. The doctor is aware that a child's life is at risk, yet he refuses to provide service. The doctor's avarice is unreasonable and unjust. I have yet to meet a person of such greed, perhaps some people of such kind do exist. His treatment to people not of his race is also appalling. Saying “Have I nothing better to do than cure insect bites for ‘little Indians’? I am a doctor, not a veterinary.” shows how much racial discrimination is practiced by the likes of him. I don’t understand the reason for racism anyways. The quote by American writer Maya Angelou “We are more alike than we are unalike” speaks volumes against racism (although this quote was not used to refer to racism, it seemed appropriate to support my point).

I predict that Kino and Juana's life will turn a completely different course. The pearl was the answer to their hopes and dreams, as told: “Then Kino’s fist closed over the pearl and his emotion broke over him.” (Steinbeck 20) The pearl could be an avenue for them to live better lives. They could sell the pearl and be able to get the doctor for Coyotito, and perhaps abandon their poverty-stricken lifestyle. It’s similar to those news reports where indigents win the lottery and rise up to a higher social class.

Steinbeck wanted the audience to feel optimistic. The events in your life may not favor you at the moment, but that doesn’t mean it will stay like that; there is always chance for things to change. The optimism possessed by Kino and Juana despite their lifestyle (as described in the beginning of the novel) allows them to see the good (Song of the Family) beyond the hardships of life. The Song of the Pearl of That Might Be is also an example of how they remain hopeful that luck might come in their way.