John Steinbeck Greed

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” (Fredrick Keoniq) This should be the moral of everyone’s lives. The Pearl, is a parable written by John Steinbeck. It is about a man who finds a pearl that changes his and his families’ lives forever. Through his novel, The Pearl, Steinbeck teaches readers that greed is powerful and capable of destroying lives.

In the beginning of the story, Kino and Juana lead a simple life and, although they do not have much, they are happy. For example, in the beginning when Kino wakes up, the author says, “They had spoken once but there is no need for speech if it is only a habit anyways. Kino sighed with satisfaction and that was conversation.” (Steinbeck 585). This shows that they are happy even though they do not talk. Kino and Juana do not need things such as words to express that they are satisfied with the life they have. Another example is when Kino is looking around the brush house and the author says, “He looked at the hanging box where Coyotito slept. And

For example when Kino tries to sell his pearl, the buyer says, “I can give you, say, a thousand pesos.’ Kino’s face grew dark and dangerous. ‘It is worth fifty thousand... You know it. You want to cheat me.’” (Steinbeck 608). This shows that Kino is being demanding. He is being controlled by greed because he wants more than the pearl is worth. Another example is when Kino gets into a fight and he says, “No. he said. I will fight this thing. I will win it over. No one will take our good fortune from us… We will not be cheated.” (Steinbeck 611). This shows that Kino will not stop until he gets more money. The idea of having a lot of money is controlling him. He is changing because of the desire to have more