What Does Steinbeck Represent Greed

The Pearl book is filled with great examples of greed and the absence of greed. Three character, I believe that represent greed the most are Juana, Kino and the Doctor. Juana dose not represent greed she represents the absence of greed. The doctor represents things people will do because of greed. Kino, represent how greed can ruin a mans life. The characters come together to represent greed and tell the parable of John Steinbeck’s book, The Pearl.

The doctor is a representative on what people will do for greed. In the book the doctor says “I was not in when you came this morning. But now, at the first chance, I have come to see the baby." The doctor was lying, he was not detained in the morning, he even refused to see the baby in the morning. He was just saying this because he wanted to get money from Kino, now knowing that Kino is a rich man. The doctor also proceeds to poison the baby in cold blood when he “filled the capsule with the powder and closed it, and then around the first capsule he fitted a second capsule and closed it. Then he worked very deftly. He took the baby and pinched its lower lip until it opened its mouth. His fat

I can give you, say, a thousand pesos." Kino's face grew dark and dangerous. "It is worth fifty thousand," he said. "You know it. You want to cheat me.” To me this is very strange and is a clear sign of selfishness created by greed, because 1000 pesos might not be a lot but it is more than what Kino has ever seen in his life, not accepting the offer is a bit selfish. Kino has also let greedy-ness, and the selfishness get into his life and he damages his marriage when Juana says to him “let us throw it back into the sea where it belongs. Kino, it is evil, it is evil.” “Kino’s eyes so that they glowed fiercely and his muscles harden and his will hardened. “No” he said.” Kino, because of greed says this to his wife in a stern, mean way. It is really sad how greed can ruin such a good man like