This story focuses on kino’s journey to find a pearl and how it affects his life. The story’s main characters are Kino (or Juana) and their desire to transform their poverty into a more prosperous life. They face many difficulties throughout the story. All this ended in the death of their precious son. In the pearl Steinbeck uses the pearl as a symbol to show materialism and the theme that wealth leads to destruction.
Kino went into the canoe to find a pearl at sea. He then thought about what he might buy. “Perhaps the rifle” (12). Kino is considering buying a rifle now that he is rich after the pearl. This is just the beginning for kino’s desire to be wealthy. The family is not affected in any negative way by the pearl at the beginning. Later, Kino begins to think about the things he wants from the pearl. He dreams about what he wants. Coyotito dreamed that he was reading a book the size of a house. It had letters the size of dogs. Words were bouncing around the book. The darkness soon spread to the pages, and with it the music and evil came again. Kino then woke up and Juana was able to see the darkness through his eyes. Kino awoke with evil music in his ears and lay in darkness. (70) These thoughts were unwise as he was falling in a trap. This is a theme related to the pearl. He has a lot to do with it and is leading him on a path towards destruction. Juana cries out harshly as she opens her eyes. This pearl is sin! It will ruin us,” she said, her voice rising in a shrill. Kino, it’s gone! Let’s take it apart. Let’s put it in a grave and forget about it. Let’s throw it in the sea. It has brought about evil. Kino, my husband. We will be destroyed.” (75).
