Theme Of Greed In John Steinbeck's The Pearl

The pearl destroys Kino’s life. How can one object be so powerful? The Pearl is about a man named Kino with a family. Kino finds a pearl that hides his values. Kino’s greed disrupts his and shrouds his values with greed. People, Kino, and the doctor all share motivators that shape their life.

Kino is motivated by his desire for education, there are many reasons for this. First, he wants education so his son can have a better life. Kino wants Coyotito to be able to read, write, and do math.” My son will go to school,” he said . . .” (pg.25). Kino also wants an education because he believes that through education he will earn the respect of others. He will be able to get a better job and earn more money and through Kino’s eyes the more money

the more power the more power the more respect. Finally Kino wants an education because he thinks that an education will free him from discrimination. As he said on page 26. “. . . these things will make us free because he will know and through him we will know.” Kino was motivated by education throughout the novella.
Greed is a motivator of the Doctor.

There are many signs of the Doctors greediness in the book. One example of his greediness is when he tries to steal the pearl. “ He knew the pearl would be buried in the house and thought Kino might look toward the place where it was buried.” (Page 35). The doctor also thinks he deserves money. For example ‘ “Has he any money?” the doctor demanded. “ No, they never have any money. I, I alone in the world am supposed to work for nothing - and I am tired of it. See if he has any money.” ’(page 11) Finally just to top it of the doctor tries to trick Kino into thinking Coyotito was still sick from the scorpion. Just to get Kino to pay more money. The doctor is just a very greedy man.

I am alike to both these characters. I have a desire for education and I am sometimes greedy. I am greedy when I don’t share my supplies(pens,pencils,markers, etc.) with others. I can also be greedy when I don’t think about what others want to do. I want an education because I want a job that requires a lot of math and science and Kino wants a better job than he already has. Also, I want an education because without one I would be unable to function in society. I would be illiterate and would have no math skills. My parents would have to provide for me for life. In these ways I share motivators with both the doctor and Kino.

Mankind and The Pearl character all share motivators that push them along and craft their lives. Kino wants an education and the doctor is greedy

those are both motivators for the characters, what motivators shape you?