Examples Of Greed In The Pearl

“The Pearl” is a very exciting book that we read over the last two or three weeks. I think I realized something about greed that will be beneficial to all of us and our lives. So, the main thesis of this essay is that the pearl symbolizes greed; greed will not only destroy the lives of Kino and his family, but also bring despair and a shadow to Kino and his family’s bright future. I learned that you should not be overtaken by the evil forces of greed. It will take you over gradually. By making wise decisions and listening to other people’s suggestions, your life will be saved and also bring you a brighter future.

One aspect I liked about the book occurs in the second last chapter. Kino is in a sad mood as Steinbeck quotes: “‘They have taken the pearl. I have lost it. Now it is over,” he said. “The pearl is gone’”. (Steinbeck, 63). Then Juana says: “‘Hush,” she said. “Here is your pearl. I found it in the path. Can you hear me now? Here is your pearl. Can you understand? You have killed a man. We must go away. They will come for us, can you understand? We must be gone before daylight comes.’”

In Chapter 5, Steinbeck quotes: “He had said, ‘I am a man’, and that meant certain things to Juana. It meant that he was half insane and half god. It meant that Kino would drive his strength against a mountain and plunge his strength against the sea. Juana, in her woman’s soul, knew that the mountain would stand while the man broke himself; that the sea would surge while the man drowned in it.” (Steinbeck, 60). This passage clearly shows how Kino and Juana make decisions that are important throughout the whole book. Actually, Juana makes the wise decisions in the book. On the other hand, Kino makes the bad decisions. Because he is a “man”, he can do whatever he wants. That is the disadvantage of living in a traditional