2. Based on the title of the book, what foreshadowing can we do about the themes (concepts) the book will talk about?

3. American novelist, story writer, playwright, and essayist
John Steinbeck
Background
Born in 1902
American novelist, story writer, playwright, and essayist
Attended Stanford
1940 The Grapes of Wrath was Awarded the Pulitzer Prize
Won Nobel Prize in 1962
Died in 1968

4. Lives of the poor and downtrodden
Specifically, the lives of migrant workers
Emphasis of writing often centered around manhood and male relationships
John Steinbeck
Focus of Works

5. John Steinbeck Grapes of Wrath Of Mice and Men The Pearl
Most Famous Works
Grapes of Wrath
Of Mice and Men
The Pearl

6. Setting of the Story
La Paz, Mexico - a coastal town marked by economic, social, and racial divisions resulting from colonial domination of the local native population.
Beginning of the 20th century.

7. Story Outline Main characters: Kino, Juana, and Coyotito
Kino, a pearl diver, lives a simple life in a village
Family belongs to the lower-class in society
Coyotito is stung by a scorpion
Kino seeks doctor’s help but is refused due to poverty
Kino finds a big pearl - symbol of hope, promise, and wealth
Greed contaminates and threatens his simple way of life
Story ends with…

8. The Pearl
The Lessons of the Parable
Explores themes of how greed and a lust for material objects can negatively influence pious cultures and people
The story is a warning to restless dreamers looking an easy way to solve their problems.

9. Themes The struggle for survival
Oppression and social class (especially in reference to colonialism)
Corruption by material wealth

10. Dangers and Evils of Material Lust Wealth and Status Fate
Literary Focus
Themes and Conflicts
Man’s Greedy Nature
Dangers and Evils of Material Lust
Wealth and Status
Fate
Individual Choice
Arrogance and Oppression
Knowledge and Ignorance

11. Pre-Reading Discussion
How might wealth and greed affect the behavior of human beings?
What do you think might be the positive or negative effects of colonialism?
Based on your own experiences and literature that you have read, do you think the course of people’s lives is the result of fate or human action?

12. Symbolism
Symbolism- The use of symbols, objects, or things to represent an idea or quality
Examples:
Rainbow=God’s covenant
Dove=peace, Holy Spirit
Cross=Salvation

13. Symbolism Music in The Pearl
References to songs, music, and sounds that represent more than their literal meaning

14. Allegory al·le·go·ry ˈaləˌɡôrē/
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Ex: One example of an allegory is the monologue from Shakespeare in “As You Like It.”
“All the world's a stage,And all the men and women merely players;they have their exits and their entrances;And one man in his time plays many parts,” This is symbolic of the fact that people are putting on a show and that they play many roles over the course of their lives.