Essay On The Role Of Women In The Pearl

1100 Words3 Pages

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. Juana, the wife to fisherman Kino, is one of the main characters in The Pearl. Coming from poverty, Juana and her husband live a minimalist life, as her simple clothes show (a battered blue head shawl and skirt, and a green ribbon knotted in her braids). Many themes in the story revolve around her. Although Juana understands her role to be a subservient and passive wife, she is smart, brave, and determined throughout the novella. Symbolizing the power and strength of women, Juana gradually becomes dominant over her husband. Juana’s second role in The Pearl is to be the protective mother of her son, Coyotito. Last, she is wise and logical in troubling times and acts as the voice of reason. Juana’s words and actions emphasize her various roles in The Pearl. Throughout The Pearl, Juana conforms to a gender …show more content…

Simultaneously, Juana represents the submissive yet dominant wife, protective mother, and wise woman. Throughout The Pearl, Juana grows exponentially. She defies gender norms and stands by her husband’s side, equal to him at the end of the story. The audience can conclude that Juana embodied multiple roles, and grew as a character and woman in the novella. The story successfully uses Juana’s words and actions to illustrate women’s roles and their development in The

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