Kino as a Hero (Analysis of the Pearl)

Kino as a Hero
What makes a hero? When we think of heroes, we think of big names, big powers, and amazing deeds. However, Merriam-Webster defines a hero as a man with distinguished courage who tries to do the best he can for others around him, thus stating that you do not need to do outrageous deeds to be a hero, such as Kino. In the novella The Pearl by John Steinbeck, Kino, the protagonist, is most certainly a hero because he is a courageous man who does what he can for his family and his people. Kino is a native man who is living in poverty in Mexico with Juana, his hardworking and loving wife, Coyotito, his very young son. Although he is also ridden with struggle and seems virtually insane, throughout the novella Kino proves himself as a hero in different ways such as, attempting to gain equality for his native people and the pearl buyers, and sacrificing the pearl, one of his most valued possessions.
With vivid dreams, Kino displays his heroism by trying to gain equality for his native people and the European pearl buyers. Kino and his people are considered ignorant by the pearl buyers who have a monopoly over the industry, and Kino wants him and his people to have more respect. When Kino gets the first offer for the pearl, he immediately turns it down. Even though he does not know the value of the pearl, and the offer was more money than he had ever had, he turns it down because he knew it was worth more and so that the pearl buyers would take him and his people seriously. Doing so Kino risks not gaining any money for the pearl, and he puts himself in a risk of danger because the pearl buyers could easily attempt to steal the pearl; however, in doing so he also puts the respect of his people before his own wealth, making him a hero. Along with fighting for his people, later in the novella Kino is able to substantiate his heroism by sacrificing his second most valuable possession the pearl. The pearl came to kino as a miracle, something that could get Coyotito into a good school. However the pearl ended up controlling Kino’s life, it became something he would fight and die for, and something his son did die because of. After Coyotito’s death Kino realizes how much the pearl is troubling his family and those around him. He is able to put the welfare of Juana in front of his desires for the pearl and as much as it pains him he reluctantly throws it into the ocean. This is not what he wanted but to Juana it means the world that he has gotten over the pearl even though their lives are already changed forever. Putting Juana and everyone around him before his own desires proves Kino is a hero.
From this we learn that even though Kino isn't superman and he was driven to virtually insane by the pearl, he is still a hero. He is a hero because despite how long it took, he ended up doing the right thing and he put other people before himself. As Arthur Ashe said, “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost”.