Student Essay on Focus on the Themes from the Novella of the Century -- the Pearl

Focus on the Themes from the Novella of the Century -- the Pearl

Summary:   From the novella " The Pearl", written by John Steinbeck, I discovered a few crucial themes that were portrayed in this parable which wield marvelous values, encouragements and enlightenments into this masterpiece.

From the novella " The Pearl", written amazingly by John Steinbeck, I discovered a few crucial themes that were portrayed in this parable which wield marvelous values, encouragements and enlightenments into this masterpiece.

First of all, the oppression towards the poorer class in Mexico is clearly shown in this novella. Spain invaded Mexico and ravaged the civilization of Aztec in Mexico. From the aspect of history, the conquistadors exploited the richness of the land. They became the first class citizen of Mexico while the underprivileged Mexican Indian were consider as a savage, according to the racist doctor. For example, the doctor refuses to treat Coyotito's stung on his shoulder. He claims himself as a doctor, not a veterinarian. The rejection of the doctor enraged Kino deeply. The servant, who speaks the tongue of the enemy is the most unbearable character. He might be proud for being able to work in a better situation, but this doesn't mean he should look down on his race. He should be ashamed about it in fact.

Now, switch our mindset, and focus on the pearl buyers. The source of income of the Mexican Indians from that village is pearl diving. The pearls that they found have to be sold to the pearl buyers with exceptional low prices. After Kino discovered the Pearl of the World, he has to trade it to the pearl dealers, who are eyeing on that "crown pearl" earlier. The pearl buyers put up an act in front of Kino by offering low prices so that they can earn more pesos after selling it to their costumers. Though Kino is ignorance, but he thinks rationally. In the end, the deal is off. He bypasses the chance of selling the pearl instead he decides to go against the norm by trading it in the northern town. Since then onward, he is courting danger . In their customs, going against the norm will definitely stir up a chaos. Logically, Kino does the right choice but we as the readers can never feel the tenseness of that situation, where the whole vicinity, the beggars and the shopkeeper are peeping into the trading center through the windows. I am sure they think that Kino is foolish because the pearl buyers will never give up. It was not stated clearly whether the first attack is done by whom but most probably is one of the pearl buyers, or maybe the doctor's servant. The oppression and discrimination of the pearl buyers have drive him into the lake of fire where Kino is burned in the fire of avarice.

The second theme I found in this story is the destructiveness of greed. Once again, the hypocrite doctor realizes that Kino is going to be wealthy, he offers his help to cure Coyotito. Kino's heart is fill with anger but his love for his beloved son overcomes hatred. Instead of curing him, he drugs him and causes Coyotito to suffer from an acute illness. Kino and Juana do not know what had happened and they are very worried. Few hours later, the doctor returned. He gives Coyotito the antidote, and finally he is fine. The avid doctor with no practice of medical ethics tries to poison Coyotito to make him appeal sick so that he could claim that he had won the battle in curing Coyotito. Isn't he Noble? Well, it's an rhetorical question for you. Greediness can lead people into doing all kinds of satanic work in order to achieve your goal. It is exactly like what was promoted by Niccolo Machiavelli in real politics concept in the book of "The Prince." We should be our own master and should not follow the ways of evil. In the end, it will only invite suffering into our lives.

Let us deal with our third theme : struggle for survival. Yes, nature is one of the antagonists in the story that brings so many calamities upon this family. Paradox? Yeah, I guess so. The ocean plays an important role in Kino's life because it promises financial security. Pearl diving is not an easy job unless you are an experienced pearl diver. Even so, you have to face to danger of suffocation, bitten by marine creatures and high pressure of the water's depth. These are not all, what if you cannot find a single oyster at all? There goes your family, suffer from hunger and poverty.

Some circumstances might drive us into performing extraordinary acts. Kino and Juana are heading northward to sell the pearl. The journey is tough because they have to be cautious of the trackers who are also going for the pearl. Kino and Juana are force to share the same water resource from a small pool with the animals such as wild sheep, deer, pumas, raccoons and even mice. It might sound disgusting but this is the only way to survive from dehydration.

Family love is another theme that the writer tried to express from this novella. Kino loves Juana and Coyotito and wishes to provide them a serene and comfortable life. Through Juana's characteristic, we see the power of an "iron lady." Being a decent wife and the woman behind his man, Juana chose to remain silent. She shares the joy and sorrow with Kino and Coyotito. When Kino acts rudely towards her, she quietly bear the external and internal pain. She pledges her loyalty and faithfulness to Kino and family. Her love for Coyotito has increase her courage to suck out the venom from her baby's shoulder. When Kino is ready to set off to the ocean, Juana insists to follow him because she wants to prepare poultice, a traditional cure made of seaweeds. Compare to Kino, her concept of family love is far more rational than Kino's, who has mistaken the focus of family love.

The last theme that I would like to share with you is on hope. Before the pearl enters Kino's life, he was just a simple and an ordinary man who longed to live peacefully with his wife, Juana and his only son, Coyotito in their village. This was what he hoped at the first place. Soon, he begins to hope for more materialism satisfaction. Coyotito is his only precious child. He hopes his son to receive proper education in order to flee from poverty and discrimination. Kino also hopes for a proper marriage ceremony in the church with Juana and receives blessing from the priest. Besides, he hopes to buy himself a new rifle, as a symbol of power and wealth. Kino might even have replaced his soul with the cold-blooded pearl he owns.

If the death of Coyotito can draw Kino out of this craziness, I think it is worthy although the poor child has to be scapegoat. But let us think indirectly, Kino realizes that the pearl is destructive and had brought misfortune to the family. He finally found his long lost consciousness. Isn't it a much better ending than both of them to be murdered by the atrocious assailant too?

There are more micro themes that I cannot possibly dwell into but these major themes should more or less brighten our view of the lifestyles, culture and beliefs of the Mexican Indians who lives under the power of the Spain six hundred years ago. Let us reflect upon all the themes and lessons learned from this novella and apply them into our lives. It will definitely bring much more benefits without you realizing it.