What does the pearl symbolize for Kino and Juana?
At first, the pearl represents a stroke of divine providence. Kino and Juana’s discovery of the pearl seems to fulfill this prophecy, and it fills them with hope for Coyotito’s future and for the possibility of a life free from the shackles of colonial oppression.
What is the ghostly gleam Kino sees?
The “ghostly gleam” of the oyster that bears the unusually large pearl suggests the pearl’s extraordinary significance and supernatural quality. Clearly, this pearl is unlike any other; it seems as though fate (and, of course, Steinbeck himself) has placed it in Kino’s hands in his most desperate hour.
What is Kino and Juana’s religion?
What is Kino and Juana’s religion? They are Catholic, but they also seem to have faith in the ancient religion of their people. They pray to God and to the gods, and they are somewhat superstitious.
Why did Kino and Juana pray to God?
Juana prays that Kino can find a pearl so he can pay the doctor to heal Coyotito. Juana is more superstitious than religious, because in chapter 1, she repeated an ancient magic, to protect Coyotito, and in chapter 2, she prayed for Kino to find a pearl to pay the doctor.
What is a major theme in the pearl?
In ”The Pearl” by John Steinbeck, the theme of the destructive power of greed is explored as the characters navigate their personal desires, destiny, and racism. We will explore the devastating effect of Kino’s sudden change from being poor but happy, to possibly instantly wealthy.
What are the four things that Kino will do with the pearl?
When Juan Tomás asks Kino what he will do with his wealth, Kino details his plans: a proper marriage in the church, new clothing for the family, a harpoon, and a rifle, among other things.
What is the first thing Kino does when he awakes?
Kino first looks at the door, and then goes out to watch the sunrise, representing how his family position faces out towards the world and his responsibilities our external to the home. Juana begins by cooking breakfast, showing her care for the home and for her family.
What role does Kino play in family?
Throughout the story, Kino plays the masculine role of the protector of the family. Juana is a caring and levelheaded mother. However, her good sense is repeatedly ignored by her husband, since he fills the traditional role of the head of the family.
How long can Kino stay underwater?
How long could Kino hold his breath? Four minutes.
Kino represents ambition, but the symbol of the pearl changes. First it represents hope, finally the destructive force of greed. At first, the pearl represents a stroke of divine providence. Juana and Juan Tomás begin to view the pearl as a threat rather than a blessing.
What things about Kino and Juana’s life allow you to know they are poor?
Kino is poor and has little money and a few seed pearls to pay the doctor, so the doctor takes his time in going to treat the baby. When the doctor knows for sure that the family has no money, he tells his servant to tell Kino and Juana that he had a more serious case and had to leave.
What does the village in the pearl symbolize?
When Kino first finds the pearl, it is a symbol of hope and salvation. The pearl and what it holds of wealth represents a great potential for the family and so their ambitions grow big.
What song does Kino hear when he finds the pearl?
As he dives, Kino’s heart beats heavily when he discovers a shell that is partially open, and in this muscle Kino sees “a ghostly gleam,” and then the shell closes. His heart beat out a heavy rhythm and the melody of the maybe pearl shrilled in his ears.
What is the religion in The Pearl?
Religion in The Pearl is an amalgamation of the natives’ belief in superstition, luck, and “the gods” with the colonizing Europeans’ faith in one “God.” The novel effectively asks “what’s the difference?” especially given the detachment and indifference of divine power to human suffering.
What did the doctor say to Juana in the Pearl?
For example, while Kino and Juana are waiting for the doctor’s response on possibly treating Coyotito, the doctor responds to his servant by stating that he is”a doctor, not a veterinary” (Steinbeck 11).This shows the doctor believes Kino and his people are animals because of their race.
Why are Kino, Juana and Coyotito being followed?
Soon after Kino, Juana, and Coyotito set out for the capitol to get a better price for the pearl, they realize they are being followed by a man on horseback and two others on foot. They have obviously been sent by the pearl dealers to acquire the treasure and Juana realizes immediately that they will kill the family to get the pearl.
How are Kino and his people opressed in the Pearl?
In “The Pearl”, Kino and his people are opressed in many ways. For example, while Kino and Juana are waiting for the doctor’s response on possibly treating Coyotito, the doctor responds to his servant by stating that he is”a doctor, not a veterinary”(Steinbeck 11).This shows the doctor believes Kino and his people are animals because of their race.
Where are Kino and Juana going to search for pearls?
Amid this scene, Kino and Juana walk down the beach to Kino’s canoe. They are going to search for pearls, desperately hoping to find a pearl of sufficient value to persuade the doctor to treat the poisoned Coyotito. The canoe, an heirloom passed down to Kino from his paternal grandfather, is Kino’s sole asset in the world.