The Pearl - Book Review
The Pearl - Book Review
A- The Pearl, John Steinbeck
B- Novel
C- This story takes place on a coastal community near La Paz, Mexico. The town lays on an estuary, where the sand is yellow, but near the water there is rubble of shells and algae. The book was published in 1947, so the time period is probably early 19th century.
D- Kino is the main character, father of Coyotito and husband of Juana. Kino is the one who finds the “Pearl of the World.” He has dark hair, black eyes, and always carries a knife.
Juana warns Kino that the pearl is evil, and is beaten by him when she tries to throw it away. She has dark hair and black eyes, she always wore a shawl on her head.
Coyotito is a little child, he gets stung by a scorpion in the beginning of the story, which causes his family to have a deep desire for a pearl, to cure him.
Juan Thomas is the older brother of Kino, and is the one advising him about things such as the pearl buyers, and where to escape to.
Apolonia is the wife of Juan, she is a heavy set woman who is usually jolly.
Doctor lives in the plastered houses of the town. When Kino goes to visit him he pretends he is not home but, after hearing about Kino’s pearl he comes to “help.” He poisons Coyotito after he is already recovering, then pretends to cure him.
E- The Pearl written by John Steinbeck is a story about a poor family finding a pearl. Early in the morning Coyotito is stung by a scorpion, Juanna sucks out the poison as best she can. However the effects of a scorpion bite are hard to tell, so they decide to take Coyotito to the doctor. Upon arrival his servant answers the door and confers with his master denying service because the poor have no money. That after at fishing Kino finds the “Pearl of the World” however, all is not solved, their problems are just beginning. First, the doctor comes to visit after he hears about their find, making an excuse that he had stepped out when they had came earlier. He poisons Coyotito, then returning later pretending to save his life. Then, at night people attempt to steal his pearl. The next morning, he goes to the pearl buyers...