Introductory Notes on… The Pearl …by John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck Introducing you to… “It has always seemed strange to me... The things we admire in men – kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling – are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest – sharpness, greed, meanness, egotism and self-interest – are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first, they love the produce of the second.” Born = February 27, 1902 Attended Stanford University Famous works: The Grapes of Wrath East of Eden Of Mice and Men Nobel Prize (Literature) – 1962 Pulitzer Prize (Fiction) – 1940 Died = December 20, 1968 What qualities do you think are most associated with success? Are these qualities we admire or we detest? What examples can you think of to support your answer? Think of movies, television shows, books, etc.

Let’s watch a book trailer…

The Tortoise and The Hare Parable parable (n.) = a short story designed to illustrate or teach some truth or moral lesson fable (n.) = a short story designed to illustrate or teach some truth or moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects The Boy Who Cried Wolf The Tortoise and The Hare

Conflict Man vs. Man  characters against each other (e.g. robbery, romance) Man vs. Society  man against man-made institution (e.g. bullying, slavery) Man vs. Nature  man against animal or force of nature (e.g. wolf, tornado) (Man vs. Technology)  man against science or technology (e.g. Frankenstein)

Setting = time and place cultural and historical contexts Desert climate 75-90 degrees Minimal rainfall 300 sunny days/year Ocean ecosystems Eco-tourism Diverse/unique species Industries Pearls Fishing Silver mining

Setting: Cultural Native culture Uneducated Poor Speak “old language” Religious Musical Physical Speak “old language” Community oriented Close Involved Communicate Cultural Differences “This doctor was of a race which for nearly four hundred years had beaten and starved and robbed and despised Kino’s race, and frightened it too…” (pg. 9) “They came to the place where the brush houses stopped and the city stone and plaster began, the city of harsh outer walls and inner cool gardens…” (pg. 8)

What potential conflicts do you foresee? Predicting Conflict You know the basic plot of the story. And, now you know about the cultural differences. What potential conflicts do you foresee?

Characterization Kino Protagonist Occupation = pearl diver (n.) the leading character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work Protagonist Occupation = pearl diver Impoverished; poor Uneducated Strong Personality Traits: Ignorant Stubborn Gullible Goal = better life for his son Break free from oppression

Characterization Juana Kino’s wife Submits to Kino Occupation = mother Personality Traits: Intuitive Loyal Patient Kind Inner strength Religious

Characterization Coyotito Kino’s and Juana’s son First child 6 months old Stung by scorpion Dependent on parents Helpless Difficulty breathing Seizures Paralysis Cramps Muscle spasms Irregular heartbeat

Characterization Juan Tomás Kino’s brother Advisor Counselor Family loyalty Personality Traits: Sympathetic Helpful Wise

Characterization Doctor Town doctor Educated Wealthy Works for the rich Disregards the poor LIAR Coyotito’s misdiagnosis Personality Traits: Greedy Materialistic Untrustworthy Prejudice Non-religious

Characterization Priest Town priest Wealthy (wealthier than natives) Educated Religious guide Anti-priest Moral corruption Uses church for own gain Greedy

Characterization Pearl Buyers All work for one CHEATERS! Want to cheat Kino Personality Traits: Greedy Evil Deceitful Full of trickery Power over natives

Symbolism EVIL GOOD PEACE LOVE Symbolism (n.) = the usage of symbols to signify ideas or qualities; granting a deeper or more significant meaning to a symbol Symbols = objects, actions, events, or words Different meanings depending on the context EVIL GOOD PEACE LOVE

“Song of the Pearl That Might Be” Foreshadowing Foreshadowing (n.) = words, phrases, and hints that indicate future plot development Mentally prepares the reader for what will happen Different meanings depending on the context “Song of the Family” “Song of the Pearl That Might Be” “Song of Evil” “…but dying in the place of someone you love seems like a good way to go.”

Irony Irony (n.) = a figure of speech in which the intended meaning of words or actions is different than the literal meaning Dramatic irony (n.) = when the audience is aware of something that a character is not aware of Example: Selection of Katniss for tribute in The Hunger Games Situational irony (n.) = when the result of an action is contrary to the intended or expected result Example: Posting a video on YouTube about hating YouTube Verbal irony (n.) = when one says something but doesn’t mean it Example: “Oh, great! Now you broke my phone and my computer.”