Literary Criticism Of The Pearl

Literary Analysis of The Pearl “And Kino heard the music of the pearl, distorted and insane” (89). In The Pearl by John Steinbeck, a poor pearl diver and his family finds the pearl of the world and their life changes. These words reflect a once perfect pearl that changes throughout the book. The Pearl, the doctor, and the pearl buyers’ appearances manipulate Kino and his family and they discover that these objects and people are not what the first appear as. Through the use of characterization and symbolism, the author illustrates how first appearances are deceitful. First of all, Kino and Juana think the pearl is a great gift when they first discover it, but when bad fortune if brought upon them, they realize the pearl brings bad luck. In

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

In the beginning, Kino is tricked by how the pearl buyer looks and seems like a nice person. “His face was fatherly and benign, and his eyes twinkled with friendship”.(47) Readers can tell that the pearl buyer has a good first impression on Kino. In addition it mentions how the pearl buyer was a caller of good mornings. “He was a caller of good mornings”(47). The author begins to personify the pearl buyer, and from what the author says, the pearl buyer seems like a nice person. “His eyes become wet with sorrow for your loss”(47). From this impression the author gives, the readers can tell he seems to be caring, but can also assume he’s sneaky enough to pretend to care. After Kino presents his pearl dramatically and the pearl buyer begins to judge it, he realizes he’s being tricked. When he tells Kino his pearl isn’t worth much “His shoulders rose a little to indicate that the misfortune was no fault of his”(49). Readers can tell from the personification of his actions that he’s trying to trick Kino and Juana into thinking the pearl isn’t worth much for his own benefit. During Kino’s whole visit, the pearl buyer was also playing with a coin. The coin also symbolizes the buyer’s sneakiness. “And the fingers of his right hand worked faster and faster” (48). In addition, he begins to practice his legerdemain again when he tricks Kino into thinking there’s more than one buyer. “Right hand went behind the desk