What does the pearl symbolize in the novel? The pearl symbolizes many things in the novel. The pearl is a sign of hope when they first acquire the pearl. "Our son must go to school. He must break out of the pot that holds us in," Kino said this planning to use the pearl for a better future for his son. Kino and his family saw the pearl as a good thing and a hope for the future. The pearl represented both, hope and sorrow. Hope because if they used it right and watched themselves their future would’ve been many times better than the one they were living. It was evil because of all the greed Kino and his family had as well as the people in the …show more content…
In the beginning he saw the pearl as this great thing that would help his family live on and be happy. "Our son must go to school. He must break out of the pot that holds us in," he said this with hopes of using the pearl for Coyotito’s schooling and giving him a better future with that knowledge. Toward the end of having the pearl he becomes insane and insecure. Juana realizes that the pearl is evil and says to Kino, "Kino, this pearl is evil. Let us destroy it before it destroys us. Let us crush it between two stones. Let us - let us throw it back in the sea where it belongs. Kino, it is evil, it is evil!” Kino then starts taking into consideration of Juana is saying and becomes more into the thought that the pearl is really evil. Kino believes different things about the pearl from the beginning to the end, he goes from seeing it as hope to destruction and