Appearance Versus Reality In The Pearl Essay

Appearance Versus Reality In The Pearl Essay, Research Paper Thesis: In The Pearl, John Steinbeck depicts the theme of appearance versus reality, as he explores Kino s journey through life with the pearl of the world in his possession. I. Allegory A. What is it? 1. A term used when an author talks of one thing, and thereby conveys another 2. Steinbeck ties it in with realism B. How does it tie in with the story? 1. Steinbeck stated, That the pearl is not totally in realistic tradition. 2. He takes a simple object and puts so much detail into it that the object is not materialistic. II. Realistic Detail A. Embellishes Allegory 1. Steinbeck always adds his touch a. The tide pool description in chapter 2 b. The great wind passages at the end of chapter 5 - These passages operate

symbolically as well as realistically Golden i - Some work together allegorically 2. Symbolism, allegory, and realistic detail a. Animal imagery dominates the human scene b. Woven satisfactorily together III. Kino s Strength A. Proved that he cannot be cheated nor destroyed B. Heights to which he has risen rather than the depths to which he has slipped back IV. Kino s Journey s A. Search for Salvation 1. His desire for a better life 2. Cloaked in the mystery and darkness B. Kino s strengths out of suffering 1. Triumphed over his enemy but only because the death of his son inspired him 2. Kino s purpose to keep the pearl was to make a better life for his son, but now that Coyotito is gone, the pearl is going too V. Why does Steinbeck add realism to the story? A. Essential to the

overlay his primary media of parable and folklore with the coat of realism Golden ii B. Animal Imagery pervades this novel with the realistic detail that becomes one of its strengths In The Pearl, John Steinbeck depicts the theme of appearance versus reality, as he explores Kino s journey through life with the pearl of the world in his possession. The Pearl is a simple, lyrical tale which Steinbeck called a black and white story like a parable. (Bloom 27) It is a parable about the search for happiness and the nature of [a] man s need to choose between the inherently benign natural life and the frantic, self-oriented modern world. (27) When the novel first began, Kino, his wife Juana, and his son Coyotito, were a normal Indian family. What they did not know was that a tiny pearl

that was discovered by Kino would change their lives forever. Kino is a poor but mildly satisfied pearl fisherman. (28) A devoted husband and father, his song is the Song of Family. (28) Before Kino found the Pearl of the World his whole life was his family. After discovering the pearl, without even realizing it, his priorities shifted. Gradually, the Song of the Pearl merges with The Song of Family. (28) Kino sees the pearl as a chance to develop a better life for him and his family. He will begin to question the institutions that have kept him primitive: medicine, the church, the pearl industry, and the government. (Davis 153) Kino sees the great pearl as providing the opportunity to pay for a church Golden 2 wedding, new clothes, and a rifle [and an education for his son.]

(French 128) All of these needs show that Kino is no longer singing The Song of Family in his head. He is now more concerned with The Song of The Pearl. Kino looks down into the surface of his fabulous pearl and forms misty, insubstantial dreams that will never come true. (Bloom 29) The word spread around town about Kino s pearl, and the people of La Paz become envious. All of a sudden people who never had anything to do with Kino, wanted to know everything about him. When Kino [found] his great pearl, the organism of the town stir[red] to life, and an interest develop[ed] in Kino. (29) The pearl was not always a good thing for Kino and his family. It turns out to be more bad than good. The pearl could bring the family everything that it could ever want, but it also placed a