Symbols In John Steinbeck's 'The Pearl'
Steinbeck's Symbols in The Pearl In The Pearl, John Steinbeck's use of symbols emphasizes that the conflict between purity and evil present in one's life is potentially deleterious. The symbol of Kino's pearl represents evil and sin within the depths of wealth, with the ability to transform one into a savage. Kino's pearl, as significant as it is, ironically blinds Kino with hope and desire for his son's future. After Kino gave a prophecy about how the pearl would grant a perfect future for his son, his neighbors gave their perspectives saying "there it started. A foolish madness came over him so that he spoke foolish words. God keep us from such things. Yes, God punished Kino because he rebelled against the way things are"(26). This quote shows the risk Kino puts himself in. The pearl has persuaded him that his life would now be comfortable. Kino's prophecy represents his surmise. The most valuable pearl had
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now forced Kino's prognostication, which will lead to his downfall if it is not met. Kino's internal conflict has now commenced and will only lead to his ruination. Another instance is, in response to Kino's obsession over his pearl, Juana reasons that "it will destroy [them] all. Even [their] son"(39). Kino has become subdued by the security and freedom promised in the pearl that he overlooks the negative aspects that it may yield. Juana's warning represents cajolery to keep
Kino "in check." She is aware of the power and comfort in the pearl, though also the greed and immoral aspects within that is capable of demolishing lives.
Her recognition that "[the] pearl is like a sin" shows the idea of wickedness enclosed in wealth(38). The pearl represents sin and greed. Although nourishment can come from prosperity, it can invite other outside forces to come and purloin it, this proves that the pearl can turn heads and persuade people to change. Likewise, when Kino raged at Juana because she tried to dispose of his pearl he "hissed at her like a snake"(59). This shows that Kino was turned literally animalistic, altered by the pearl. This is significant because one can see the drastic change between the loving, caring husband in the beginning, unaffected by the pearl, and how he turned into a cruel violent abuser. The pearl symbolizes sin and coaxing that contrasts with goodness, replacing it with evil. The way the pearl transforms honor into wickedness reveals how it illustrates a larger picture for gradual
destruction. The Songs Kino hear in his head represent the surrounding threats or safety that will affect the mood. For example, when a scorpion presented itself in Kino's life, his perfect family song is interrupted by "the Song of Evil, the music of the enemy, of any foe of the family, a savage"(5). The scorpion triggers the Song of Evil, which alerts Kino of threats in his surroundings. The songs playing in Kino's head symbolize the mood and atmosphere. When Coyotito "[had] been poisoned by the scorpion" it introduces pain and panic into their family's lives(10). This proves that when the Song of Evil overcomes purity or righteousness, destruction is to follow. Another occasion is when Kino was against the pearl buyers "he felt the creeping of fate, the circling of wolves, the hover of vultures. He felt the evil coagulating about him, and he was helpless to protect himself. He heard in his ears the evil music"(51). When Kino's pure intentions to sell the pearl for his son's future clashes with the greed of the pearl buyers, trying to save as much money as they can, it affects Kino in a negative way. The music of Evil comes from the pearl buyers' avarice and the pearl itself. The songs of evil therefore denote the presence of danger contrasting and trying to conquer and block out the existence of upright morals. Kino's selfish desires that eventually cost him his son can be observed by the symbol of the rifle. In this manner, when Kino's imagination roams wild and he craves buying "a rifle-but why not, since he was so rich"(25). The rifle enters Kino's thoughts revealing how he can reach for anything with his new fortune. His selfish wants "[break] down the barriers" and is also proof that "humans are never satisfied"(25). Kino's desires go up to the point where he wants a rifle to be feared, to be powerful, to be violent. And with violence only comes aggression and devastation. That is verified by when after Coyotito's death, as Kino comes home "[he] had a rifle across his arm."(88). Coyotito's life would expiate for the rifle. To retrieve the rifle, Kino had to attack a few trackers and steal it, but in that process he heard "the cry of death"(87). Kino's attempt to possess the rifle led to his only child's getting shot and dying. What started as a harmless dream of a rifle resulted in the brokenness of his family and life, revealing that when evil interferes with faultless ideas, the consequence will be deleterious.
now forced Kino's prognostication, which will lead to his downfall if it is not met. Kino's internal conflict has now commenced and will only lead to his ruination. Another instance is, in response to Kino's obsession over his pearl, Juana reasons that "it will destroy [them] all. Even [their] son"(39). Kino has become subdued by the security and freedom promised in the pearl that he overlooks the negative aspects that it may yield. Juana's warning represents cajolery to keep
Kino "in check." She is aware of the power and comfort in the pearl, though also the greed and immoral aspects within that is capable of demolishing lives.
Her recognition that "[the] pearl is like a sin" shows the idea of wickedness enclosed in wealth(38). The pearl represents sin and greed. Although nourishment can come from prosperity, it can invite other outside forces to come and purloin it, this proves that the pearl can turn heads and persuade people to change. Likewise, when Kino raged at Juana because she tried to dispose of his pearl he "hissed at her like a snake"(59). This shows that Kino was turned literally animalistic, altered by the pearl. This is significant because one can see the drastic change between the loving, caring husband in the beginning, unaffected by the pearl, and how he turned into a cruel violent abuser. The pearl symbolizes sin and coaxing that contrasts with goodness, replacing it with evil. The way the pearl transforms honor into wickedness reveals how it illustrates a larger picture for gradual
destruction. The Songs Kino hear in his head represent the surrounding threats or safety that will affect the mood. For example, when a scorpion presented itself in Kino's life, his perfect family song is interrupted by "the Song of Evil, the music of the enemy, of any foe of the family, a savage"(5). The scorpion triggers the Song of Evil, which alerts Kino of threats in his surroundings. The songs playing in Kino's head symbolize the mood and atmosphere. When Coyotito "[had] been poisoned by the scorpion" it introduces pain and panic into their family's lives(10). This proves that when the Song of Evil overcomes purity or righteousness, destruction is to follow. Another occasion is when Kino was against the pearl buyers "he felt the creeping of fate, the circling of wolves, the hover of vultures. He felt the evil coagulating about him, and he was helpless to protect himself. He heard in his ears the evil music"(51). When Kino's pure intentions to sell the pearl for his son's future clashes with the greed of the pearl buyers, trying to save as much money as they can, it affects Kino in a negative way. The music of Evil comes from the pearl buyers' avarice and the pearl itself. The songs of evil therefore denote the presence of danger contrasting and trying to conquer and block out the existence of upright morals. Kino's selfish desires that eventually cost him his son can be observed by the symbol of the rifle. In this manner, when Kino's imagination roams wild and he craves buying "a rifle-but why not, since he was so rich"(25). The rifle enters Kino's thoughts revealing how he can reach for anything with his new fortune. His selfish wants "[break] down the barriers" and is also proof that "humans are never satisfied"(25). Kino's desires go up to the point where he wants a rifle to be feared, to be powerful, to be violent. And with violence only comes aggression and devastation. That is verified by when after Coyotito's death, as Kino comes home "[he] had a rifle across his arm."(88). Coyotito's life would expiate for the rifle. To retrieve the rifle, Kino had to attack a few trackers and steal it, but in that process he heard "the cry of death"(87). Kino's attempt to possess the rifle led to his only child's getting shot and dying. What started as a harmless dream of a rifle resulted in the brokenness of his family and life, revealing that when evil interferes with faultless ideas, the consequence will be deleterious.