1. The Pearl By: John Steinbeck

2. Author Background John Steinbeck In his very short preface to the novel, John Steinbeck wrote: “If this story is a parable, perhaps everyone takes his own meaning from it and reads his own life into it.” (Pg. 1) In his very short preface to the novel, John Steinbeck wrote: “If this story is a parable, perhaps everyone takes his own meaning from it and reads his own life into it.” (Pg. 1) The reader should understand there is more to The Pearl than simply the plot. The reader should understand there is more to The Pearl than simply the plot.

3. Author continued - Born in Salinas, California in 1902 Born in Salinas, California in 1902 Grew up as an intense reader Grew up as an intense reader Lived on the Pacific coast Lived on the Pacific coast Studied literature & writing at Stanford Studied literature & writing at Stanford Did not graduate with a college degree Did not graduate with a college degree Worked as a journalist Worked as a journalist First attempts were failures First attempts were failures Tortilla Flat was first commercial success (1935) Tortilla Flat was first commercial success (1935) A collection of short stories about the ethnic working poor in California A collection of short stories about the ethnic working poor in California

4. Steinbeck continued… Traveled extensively Traveled extensively Of Mice and Men (1937) and The Grapes of Wrath (1939) are two of his finest works – both set in the Great Depression. Of Mice and Men (1937) and The Grapes of Wrath (1939) are two of his finest works – both set in the Great Depression. The Pearl originally appeared in Woman’s Home Companion (magazine) under the title “The Pearl of the World.” The Pearl originally appeared in Woman’s Home Companion (magazine) under the title “The Pearl of the World.” The Pearl ranks among his most popular works. The Pearl ranks among his most popular works. Received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962. Received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.

5. Major Influences The Great Depression (1933) The Great Depression (1933) The stock market crashed Left millions of people without jobs, no food, and no electricity World War II (ended 1945) World War II (ended 1945) Allies and Axis powers After Allies won the war, dictatorships and communist countries were looked down on

6. Communist Ideas Money is distributed evenly throughout the country among all workers no matter their trade. Money is distributed evenly throughout the country among all workers no matter their trade. All food grown on farms is collected by the government and distributed evenly throughout the country All food grown on farms is collected by the government and distributed evenly throughout the country No one owns their own land No one owns their own land

7. The Pearl Parable – a brief story or tale that illustrates a moral or life lesson. Parable – a brief story or tale that illustrates a moral or life lesson. Examples -Biblical parables Examples -Biblical parables Buddhist parables Chinese parables Nature parables

8. The Pearl Setting : Setting : Where - a Mexican village on the Baja Peninsula Where - a Mexican village on the Baja Peninsula When – uncertain exactly; late 19 th or early 20 th century When – uncertain exactly; late 19 th or early 20 th century

11. Characters: Kino – the protagonist Kino – the protagonist –A simple character –Motivated by simple drives: love of family, loyalty to the traditions of his village and his people –Possesses a strong work ethic –Feels a close kinship with the natural world

12. Juana – Kino’s wife Juana – Kino’s wife –More reflective & practical than Kino –Loyal & submissive as her culture dictates but she does not always agree with her husband’s actions –Comes to view the pearl as a symbol of evil

13. The Doctor – The Doctor – –Represents the colonial attitudes that oppress Kino and his people –Embodies the colonists’ greed and arrogance –Only interested in making money –Has no real respect for the native people –As a physician he is duty-bound to save human life – but this doctor feels no such duty

14. While the action in The Pearl is easy to follow, there is one historical point to keep in mind: While the action in The Pearl is easy to follow, there is one historical point to keep in mind: The Spanish landed in Mexico and proceeded to enslave the native peoples who had inhabited the area. While their descendents are no longer slaves, the Indians are still the underclass; the descendents of the Spanish settlers are the richer, more powerful, professional ruling class. You will note the doctor, priest, and the pearl buyers are all of Spanish descent. The Spanish landed in Mexico and proceeded to enslave the native peoples who had inhabited the area. While their descendents are no longer slaves, the Indians are still the underclass; the descendents of the Spanish settlers are the richer, more powerful, professional ruling class. You will note the doctor, priest, and the pearl buyers are all of Spanish descent.