The Oyster and the Pearl

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1. Do you think that it is right to allow Clay to believe that there is a pearl in the oyster? Explain your answer.

Ans. Clay is a poor, innocent boy. He wants money to put in an ad for his disappeared father. His father had left home a month ago. Clay knew that the basic reason for his leaving home was money which was a constant cause of dispute between his mother and father. Harry's effort to give the boy a hope of a pearl in the oyster is the virtuous act of human side of him. Perhaps no happiness could have been bought for three hundred dollars that Harry was going to give to the boy. He wanted the boy to have enough money to do something to bring his father back to the family.

2. In your opinion, why is the writer willing to buy the pearl? What has he received in return? What does he mean by saying: "As far as I'm concerned, the whole thing's a pearl."

Ans. In my opinion, the writer wants to help the little boy in his efforts to bring his father back. He is certainly moved to the quick after knowing all about the boy and his family. For him the whole thing has given him such a rich experience of human emotional life that is worth three hundred dollars he pays for the oyster. In fact, seeing a small boy struggling so hard to shoulder the miseries of his family is in itself a pearl of human traits that is why the writer makes this statement." As for as I'm concerned, the whole thing's a pearl."

3. What has attracted Harry and other people to O.K.-by-the-Sea? Is it the kind of town that appeals to you? Do you think that it resembles an ideal town? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans. Small in population and unimportant in any commercial sense, this town is like a gem in the crowd of heartless city life. The people are poor but honest and loving. The family units are closely knitted. Though they have little means to earn their livelihood, they have the wealth of contentment. Accordingly, these are the attributes of the people of O.K.-by-the-Sea, which has attracted Harry and other people to this town. This is the kind of town that appeals to me. A place where people possess such qualities as honesty, love and sacrifice and I am sure that it will certainly appeal to everyone.

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