Summary
John Steinbeck's The Pearl, published in 1947, is a powerful exploration of human nature, greed, and the corrupting influence of wealth. Based on a Mexican folktale, this impactful novella tells the story of Kino, a poor pearl diver whose life is upended when he discovers an enormous pearl. Through Kino's journey, Steinbeck examines how the promise of wealth can blind individuals to the true value of what they already possess. Spare yet evocative in its portrayal of characters with simple lives and complex moral dilemmas,The Pearl continues to raise questions about the paradoxical nature of desire and the price of ambition.
Plot
In John Steinbeck’s The Pearl, a poor pearl diver named Kino lives with his wife Juana and their infant son Coyotito in La Paz, Mexico. When Coyotito is stung by a scorpion, Kino hopes to find a valuable pearl to pay for medical treatment. While diving, Kino discovers an enormous pearl he calls “The Pearl of the World.” News of his find spreads quickly through the town.
Kino dreams of using the pearl's wealth to provide a better life for his family. However, his find attracts the attention of greedy neighbors and thieves. When Kino tries to sell the pearl, the dealers collude to lowball him, offering only a fraction of its worth. Kino refuses to sell and vows to take the pearl to the capital city instead.
That night, intruders attack Kino's home. Though he fights them off, Juana warns the pearl will destroy them and tries to throw it in the ocean. Kino beats her and forces her to keep it. Kino decides to flee to the capital with Juana and Coyotito but discovers their canoe destroyed and house burned. After taking refuge with Kino's brother, they set out on foot the next evening.
As they travel, Kino realizes trackers are pursuing them to steal the pearl. The family hides in a cave, but when the trackers make camp nearby, Kino decides he must attack them. As he sneaks down to ambush them, one tracker fires his rifle at a noise—accidentally killing Coyotito. Devastated, Kino and Juana return to La Paz. Seeing only tragedy reflected in its surface, Kino hurls the pearl back into the sea.
Themes
Greed and its corrupting influence
The destructive power of colonialism
Family bonds and loyalty
The conflict between tradition and progress
The nature of good and evil
The illusion of wealth bringing happiness
Man's struggle against fate and nature
Setting
Set in the 1940s, The Pearl takes place in La Paz, a coastal town in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a poor fishing village, where pearl divers eke out a meager living from the waters of the Gulf of California. Steinbeck vividly portrays the stark contrast between the impoverished indigenous community and the wealthy, exploitative colonial presence.
The novella's setting is crucial to its themes, as it highlights the socioeconomic disparities and cultural tensions of the era. La Paz serves as a microcosm of larger issues, including colonialism, racism, and economic inequality. The town's pearl industry, once a source of great wealth for Spanish royalty, now provides only subsistence living for local divers like Kino and his family.
Steinbeck's intimate knowledge of the region, gained during his 1940 visit to the area, lends authenticity to his depiction of the Gulf coast's natural beauty and harsh realities. From the modest brush houses of the indigenous people to the opulent dwellings of the foreign doctor and pearl buyers, the author paints a vivid picture of a community divided by wealth and power, setting the stage for the dramatic events that unfold.
Characters
Kino: The protagonist, a poor pearl diver. Kino is a hardworking man who loves his family and dreams of a better life for them. When he discovers the magnificent pearl, he becomes obsessed with the wealth and opportunities it could bring. His desire for a better future ultimately leads to tragedy as he struggles against greed, violence, and societal injustice.
Juana: Kino's wife and the voice of reason in the family. Juana is devoted to her husband and son, but she recognizes the danger the pearl brings to their lives. She attempts to dispose of the pearl to restore peace to her family. Juana remains loyal to Kino throughout their ordeal, even as she fears the consequences of keeping the pearl.
Coyotito: Kino and Juana's infant son. Coyotito's scorpion sting at the beginning of the story sets the events in motion. He becomes the symbol of the family's hopes and dreams, as well as the ultimate victim of the tragedy that unfolds.
The Doctor: A symbol of greed and racism in the town. The doctor initially refuses to treat Coyotito due to the family's poverty but becomes interested in them after learning about the pearl. His sudden change in attitude represents the corrupting influence of wealth and power.
Juan Tomás: Kino's brother who offers support and shelter to the family. Juan Tomás represents the importance of family ties and community in the face of adversity.
Apolonia: Juan Tomás's wife who helps hide and protect Kino's family. She demonstrates the strength of familial bonds in their society.
Quick facts
The story of The Pearl is based on a Mexican folktale John Steinbeck heard while visiting La Paz, Mexico in 1940.
Steinbeck originally wrote The Pearl as a film script in 1944 before adapting it into a novella.
What became The Pearl was first published as a short story called “The Pearl of the World” in 1945 in Woman's Home Companion magazine.
The 1947 Mexican film “La Perla,” co-written by Steinbeck, was released in 1947 to coincide with the publication of the novella.
At only around 100 pages, The Pearl is one of Steinbeck's shortest works.
The character of Kino was named after Eusebio Kino, an Italian Jesuit missionary who worked in Mexico.
Famous Mexican muralist José Clemente Orozco provided illustrations for the first edition.
The Pearl explores themes Steinbeck was interested in from Jungian philosophy, including human greed and materialism.
Due to its relatively short length and accessible topics for discussion, The Pearl has become a staple of middle and high school English classes.
About the Author
John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century. Born in Salinas, California, Steinbeck drew inspiration from the people and landscapes of his home state throughout his career. He achieved popular success in 1935 with Tortilla Flat. Yet his literary reputation was cemented by works known as the Dust Bowl trilogy—In Dubious Battle (1936), Of Mice and Men (1937), and his epic novel about an Oklahoma migrant family, The Grapes of Wrath (1939), which won the Pulitzer Prize.
Steinbeck continued to explore themes of economic hardship, friendship, and the human connection to the land in later works like Cannery Row (1945) and East of Eden (1952). In 1962, Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his “realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception.” His final novel The Winter of Our Discontent (1961) examined moral decline in America, while his travelog Travels with Charley (1962) recounted a road trip across the country with his dog.
Steinbeck left behind a rich literary legacy. His vivid characters, powerful social commentary, and lyrical descriptions of California landscapes continue to resonate with readers. His works have become a staple of high school and college curricula as well as inspired numerous stage and screen adaptations. The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas celebrates the author's life and work, ensuring his place in the American literary canon for generations to come.
