How Does Kino Change

In the earliest pages of “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck, one wouldn’t have been able to predict the changes that overcome Kino. In chapter 1, we are introduced to Kino who is enjoying the sight of his wife and child, and the beautiful nature that surrounds him. The peaceful description of their family and home lead us to believe that they are living a loving harmonious life. Him and his wife Juana have recently had a baby named Coyotito, and are happily raising him in the brush village. Kino is content with his simple life and does not ask for much more. As events in the book go on, Kino’s personality begins to change in negative ways. From the beginning of the book to the end, Kino’s personality changes drastically from a protective, happy, non-materialistic man to a dangerous, selfish and greedy man.
In the beginning of the story Kino is very protective over his wife and child. For example, when the scorpion is hovering over Coyotito face, Kino jumps into action to try and save him but it is too late. The book says, “But Kino beat and stamped the enemy until it was only a fragment
Kino begins to become dangerous to the people around him: the book reads, “He struck her in the face with his clenched fist and she fell among the boulders, and he kicked her in the side”(Steinbeck, 59). Kino is so infatuated with the pearl that he would hit and kick his own wife to get it back. Not only does he strike her in the face, but he kicks her when she is down. He kicks her in the side out of spite, knowing that he has already won the fight. To hit your wife and the mother of your child is a horrendous act. In the beginning of the book Kino would have never even thought about laying a hand on his wife. Kinos relationship with the pearl is taking control over his rational thinking. The pearl has a hold of Kino and it will not let go. It is getting into his head and corrupting his