What Does The Pearl Symbolize Greed

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“Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough.” Greed never shows positive thoughts. In the book, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, Kino needs to find a pearl to help his son from a scorpion sting. However, as the story goes on his perspective of the pearl slowly changes. The pearl first symbolized wealth, luck, happiness, and warmth. But as the story goes on, it started to symbolize greed and evil.
Kino has to find a pearl to pay the doctor so he can help his son from a scorpion sting. Kino wanted to find a pearl to pay the doctor so Coyotito could get better from his scorpion sting. “... she had prayed that they might find a pearl with which hire the doctor to cure the baby…” (pg.15). At first he wanted to sell the pearl so he could pay the doctor to help his son. The pearl was a symbol of luck and helped bring needs to pearlfinders. “This was the bed that had raised the King of Spain to be a great power in Europe in past years, had helped pay for wars…”(pg. 16). This shows wealth and a good use of the pearls. The pearl wasn’t used for anything unnecessary. …show more content…

Kino starts to think about other things that aren’t related to helping Coyotito. “...Kino saw in the lucent pearl and he said, ‘We will have new clothes.’” (pg. 24). He is starting forgot why he wanted the pearl. Now, Kino doesn’t believe his pearl is fake and worth the low price that the pearl buyers offer. “‘ I am cheated,’ Kino cried fiercely ‘My pearl is not for sale here…’” (pg. 52). This shows that Kino is greedy and started to change his mind than using the money for Coyotito. Kino doesn’t listen to his wife and he has became so greedy he has accepted the pearl as a part of him. “‘ This pearl has become my soul’ said Kino. “ If I give it up I shall lose my soul.’” (pg. 67). Kino vows the pearl to never give it

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