The Treasure Of Lemon Brown Theme Essay

In both “The Treasure of Lemon Brown” by Walter Dean Myers and The Pearl by John Steinbeck, the protagonists struggle with internal conflicts that ultimately change what they view to be important in life. Greg, who is attending high school, wants to play basketball, but is unable to as a result of poor grades. Kino, a man who loves his family more than anything, loses focus when he becomes drived by the prospect of riches. Both characters face challenges that eventually lead them to see what truly matters in life.
First, both Greg and Kino have strong beliefs regarding what matters in life. For example, “He [Greg] stood to go upstairs, thought of the lecture that probably awaited him if he did anything except shut himself in his room with his math book, and started walking down

the street instead” (Myers 18). This shows that he would rather walk away and think about basketball than cope with the frustration of dealing with his father and school. In The Pearl it states, “It was all very good - Kino closed his eyes again to listen to his music … saying this is safety, this is warmth, this is the whole” (Steinbeck 3). This shows how content Kino was with his life at that time. This also shows, for Kino, nothing matters more than the warmth and life of his family. In summation, both characters have well-defined ideas about what matters in life.
Secondly, certain events served as a catalyst in both Greg’s and Kino’s lives, letting them rethink what truly matters. For instance, Lemon Brown declared, ““That was my treasure, and when I give it to him, he treated it just like that, a treasure”” (Myers 25). This shows that Lemon Brown taught Greg a lesson by relaying his story of an unlikely treasure. This also shows that Greg will now realize that basketball is not his true treasure, as it barely shapes his life. Likewise, in The Pearl, “Kino’s hand leaped to catch it [the scorpion], but it fell past his finger, fell on the baby’s shoulder, landed and struck” (Steinbeck 5). This conveys that the scorpion dramatically changed what is important to Kino because now, finding a way to treat the baby’s would is all that matters to Kino. This also portrays that Kino will no longer be content; he must find a source of wealth to pay for Coyotito’s medical expenses, and the new wealth will spark greed from Kino’s heart. In short, Greg and Kino both endure experiences that drastically change what they believe is important.
Finally, Greg and Kino’s internal conflicts are eventually resolved.

To demonstrate, “Greg pushed the button over the bell marked “Ridley,” thought of the lecture he knew his father would give him, and smiled” (Myers 26). This shows that Greg’s internal conflict of doing the right thing and listening to his father’s lectures or doing the wrong thing and having fun is resolved because Lemon Brown made Greg realize that lessons one learns early in life (e.g. Greg’s father’s lectures and Lemon Brown’s lesson on family love) sticks with them their whole life. This also demonstrates that Greg considers his father’s lectures to be more of a treasure that basketball because the lectures shape his life more significantly. Moreover, in The Pearl, “Kino drew back his arm and flung the pearl with all his might” (Steinbeck 89-90). This reveals the resolution of Kino’s internal conflict because he realizes that there are things more important that money. This also shows that Kino now values and appreciates Juana and their equality whereas before Kino was focused on being the leader of his family. Basically, Kino and Greg have different views on what is important in life than they did in the

beginning.
In life, it is important to understand what truly matters. After resolving difficult internal conflicts, both Greg and Kino realize what truly matters to them. Through difficult conflict, growth and happiness can occur.