1. The Pearl by John Steinbeck An Introduction Prepared by Mrs. Tai & Ms. Ku, 2010

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

3. John Steinbeck worcesternews.co.uk aspiringpro.com

4. John Steinbeck (1902-1968) American novelist, story writer, playwright, and essayist American novelist, story writer, playwright, and essayist Received Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 Received Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 Father was a bookkeeper and accountant; mother was a teacher Father was a bookkeeper and accountant; mother was a teacher Worked as a laboratory assistant and farm laborer to support himself while at Stanford University Worked as a laboratory assistant and farm laborer to support himself while at Stanford University His stories were popular chiefly for their social consciousness and concern and for the narrative qualities displayed in the novels His stories were popular chiefly for their social consciousness and concern and for the narrative qualities displayed in the novels Passed away on December 20, 1968, in NYC Passed away on December 20, 1968, in NYC Works include: Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, In Dubious Battle, and Travels with Charley Works include: Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, In Dubious Battle, and Travels with Charley http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/johnstei.htm http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/johnstei.htm http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/johnstei.htm http://www.notablebiographies.com/Sc-St/Steinbeck-John.html

5. 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 20 th century. http://www.enotes.com/pearl-qn/setting http://www.mexadventure.com/graphics/La-Paz-Map.gifhttp://www.mexadventure.com/graphics/La-Paz-Map.gifhttp://www.maps-of-mexico.com/ http://www.mexadventure.com/graphics/La-Paz-Map.gif

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

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

8. Pre-Reading Discussion 1. How might wealth and greed affect the behavior of human beings? 2. What do you think might be the positive or negative effects of colonialism? 3. 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?

9. Sample Covers worcesternews.co.uk

10. I need two parents sitting at each table grouping With the parents in English, I need you to discuss the following issue: With the parents in English, I need you to discuss the following issue: We know that material greed may be a factor in The pearl. But the questions I want to ask you are this: We know that material greed may be a factor in The pearl. But the questions I want to ask you are this: What two items best symbolizes the concept of family? What two items best symbolizes the concept of family? EX: For Mr. D the most important symbol in his life would be headphones, because they remind him of when he performed music in New York City, and his family supported his dream. EX: For Mr. D the most important symbol in his life would be headphones, because they remind him of when he performed music in New York City, and his family supported his dream. Please discuss with the parents at your grouping and compile into a list stating why for each item. Please discuss with the parents at your grouping and compile into a list stating why for each item.