1. The Pearl
Themes

2. The human spirit can be attacked by the evils in society.
Do you believe this is true?
What are some of the evils to society?
Can you give an example of how this might happen?

3. The human spirit can be attacked by the weaknesses within the human personality.
How does this happen?
What are some of the weaknesses within the human personality?
Can you give an example of this happening your own life?

4. Wisdom and knowledge can be gained from a tragic experience
Have you ever seen this happen?
Do you believe that this is always true? Explain.

5. The rich and the powerful usually dominate the poor and uneducated
Do you believe this is true? Give examples from history and from today’s world that prove this statement. Think of examples that would disprove this statement.
Are the rich and powerful always one type of person? Explain your answer.
Are the poor and uneducated always one type of person? Explain.

6. Greed corrupts How do you think this happens?
What do you think makes people more greedy: having money or not having money? Explain your answer.
Does greed depend on the person or on the situation? Give an example.
If you won a million dollars, how would it change you? How do you think you would feel toward other people? How do you think they would feel about you?

7. Goodness and love usually triumph over evil and selfishness
Do you believe this is true?
Give reasons for believing or not believing the statement.
Can you give an example of this happening to someone you know or have heard about?

8. People are usually not satisfied with what they have but want something more.
Do you believe this is true?
What are some of the effects of wanting more?
Can being dissatisfied be destructive? How?
Can being satisfied be destructive? How?