Symbolism is when an object is used to represent an idea or conflict. For example, the color red on a country’s flag is symbolic of the bloodshed that was given for said country. This literary device is used by a plethora of authors in their literature. Authors use symbolic elements to create a story that is unique. In The Pearl, John Steinbeck provides the symbolism of the pearl, the darkness, and the songs to create a deeper meaning for the reader.
Throughout this novel, John Steinbeck uses darkness to symbolize evil. For example, the mentions of the color of black represents evil and darkness. When the doctor comes to treat Coyotito, Kino says, “The baby is nearly well now.’ Then the doctor says, ‘Sometimes, my friend, the scorpion sting has a curious effect. There wille apparent improvement, and then without warning-pouf…he shifted his small black doctor’s bag so the the light of the lamp fell upon it. ” (Steinbeck 30).
The black of the doctors bag is symbolic of the greed within the doctor. His intentions appear good, but they are evil. For example, when Coyotito id almost well, the doctor poisons him; so that he can cure him and get the pearl as payment. When Kino and his family are running from the trackers, they find a cave to stay in for the night. Steinbeck illustrates that Kino is evil and dangerous by saying, “For a moment his body was black in the cave entrance” (84).
The blackness of Kino’s body is symbolic of the evil that has taken over him. However, the color black is symbolic of the evil that has taken over Kino. In the Pearl, Steinbeck refers to the enemies as dark. Kino buries the pearl somewhere in his house. At night, someone sneaks in and tries to steal it. Kino does not know who it is, and Juana replies, “ I don’t know…the Dark Ones” (Steinbeck 63).
The Essay on The Pearl-John Steinbeck
Symbolism embodies an abstract idea or concept by using an object or character. In the parable, The Pearl, Steinbeck uses symbolism extensively to create and develop the novel’s themes. The pearl of the book’s title is a symbol, which develops from a paradise of hopes and dreams, to a destructive centre of evil. The key symbol of the pearl generates the theme of the destructive nature ...
The “Dark Ones” are trying to steal the pearl, and they will do everything they can to get it from Kino and his family. When Kino and Juana are resting at Juan Tomas’ house, Kino goes outside. Steinbeck concludes, “ he could feel the dark,creepy things waiting for him” ( 55).
The dark, creepy things are symbolic of the dark ones, also known as evil. Although the color black and the dark ones symbolize darkness, the dark of night is also symbolic of evil. When Kino is lying in bed, he hears a noise. Steinbeck describes, “With the darkness came the music of evil again, and Kino stirred in his sleep; and when he stirred, Juana’s eyes opened in the darkness. And Kino awakened, with the evil music pulsing in him, and he lay in the darkness with ears alert” (37).
Darkness is symbolic of the evil that is lurking around Kino and his family.Whenever Kino is outside on the porch, Steinbeck concludes, “Kino looked out into the darkness…evil was all about” (56).
Kino goes outside and his soul and mind know that evil is all around him. While the darkness has the same symbolism throughout the story, the symbolism of the pearl changes.
The pearl has different meanings for different characters. To Kino, the pearl symbolizes the future of Coyotito and all the things he will be able to provide for his family. As soon as Kino finds the pearl, he claims, “My son will read and open books, and he will write and will know writing. And my son will make numbers and these things will make us free because he will know-he will know and through him we will know” (Steinbeck 26).
Kino believes that the pearl will help Coyotito to be educated, and since he will be educated, they will be free. Kino and his family will be free through the education of Coyotito. Now that they have the riches of the pearl, Kino asserts, “We will be married in a church” (Steinbeck 24).
The Essay on John Steinbeck’s “The pearl”
... going to buy the pearl from them. The perfect pearl brought evil upon Kino and Juana. As you can see, Steinbeck shows us many ironic ... Indian family who stumbles upon the greatest pearl in the world. Headed by a man named Kino and his supporting wife Juana, they ... did the other characters. She knew that the pearl was bringing evil to their family all along but couldn’t do anything about ...
Kino and Juana have been married in their tribal religion, but they have not been married in the Catholic church. Money is required to do that. Now that they have found the Pearl of the World, Kino believes that he and Juana should be married in the church, and have their marriage welcomed by God. Although Kino believes that the pearl brings great fortune, Juana does not believe this. To Juana the pearl symbolizes evil. After someone breaks into Kino and Juana’s house, Juana declares, “This thing is evil…This pearl is like a sin. It will destroy us” ( Steinbeck 38-39).
To Juana, the npearl is symbolic of evil and darkness. After Kino’s enemies have tried to steal the pearl, Juana stresses, “It will destroy us all, even our son” (Steinbeck 39).
Juna believes that the pearl has brought misfortune upon her and her family; she thinks it will bring evil into their household and cause their lives to be miserable. The pearl can bring misfortune or great fortune; however, the priest and the shopkeepers only see the positive side in the pearl, bringing great fortune. To the shopkeepers and the priest, the pearl symbolizes financial gain. Whenever the priest hears the news about the pearl, one thought comes to his mind. Steinbeck illustrates, “It put a thoughtful look in his eyes and a memory of repairs necessary for the church” (21).
The priest believes that the riches of the pearl can be used to renovate the church; he is not happy for Kino or thinking about him. The priest has selfish desires. . When the shopkeepers hear about this pearl of the world, Steinbeck demonstrates, “they looked at men’s clothes that had not sold so well” (22).
The shopkeepers believe that Kino will come and purchase items they currently have in their inventory. The pearl has many elements it symbolizes, but Steinbeck shows many different elements of symbolism in this novel.
In the Pearl, Kino’s songs symbolize his emotions. The Song of Family means that everything is good. Whenever Kino hears Juana, Steinbeck introduces the Song of Family by saying, “In Kino’s head, there was a song; now clear and soft, and if he would have been able to speak of it, he would have called it the Song of Family” (2).
The Essay on Animal Imagery Used Throughout ''The Pearl'' By John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck in his parable-like novel The Pearl embraces the dark power of greed, which ultimately results in destruction. Kino, a simple Mexican pearl diver who provides for his wife Juana and baby boy Coyotito, finds a pearl, which he hopes will provide his family a better life, but instead shatters his life when his only child is killed by the men who are hunting him. Using a biblical style, ...
The Song of Family plays in Kino’s head to represent his routine, normal, warmth and comfort. Whenever Juana is in the kitchen finishing breakfast, Kino feels the warmth and security of his family, and Steinbeck illustrates, “The Song of Family came from behind him like the purring of a kitten” (29).
Steinbeck introduces this to show that Kino feels secure whenever he hears the Song of Family. this song brings comfort to him; however, Kino hears many songs. One of them is the Song of Evil. The Song of Evil signals that evil is near. As Kino and Juana see the scorpion crawling on Coyotito’s hanging box, Steinbeck writes, “In his mind, a new song had come, the Song of Evil, the music of the enemy, of any foe of the family, a savage, secret, dangerous melody, and underneath, the Song Of Family cried plaintively” (5).
The scorpion represents evil; so Kino sees the scorpion as a threat to his family. It is dangerous and it brings with it the Song of Evil. . After Kino finds the pearl, his neighbors gather around him because the priest is coming. Steinbeck illustrates, “The Song of Family had gone out of Kino’s head, but now, thinly, slowly, the melody of the morning, the music of evil, of the enemy sounded, but it was faint and weak. Kino looked at his neighbors to see who might have caused it” (6).
Kino believes that someone among them is his enemy, and this song warns him of the danger. Another song that plays in this novel is the Song of the Pearl That Might Be. This song symbolizes different emotions throughout this novel. As Kino and Juana are diving for pearls, Kino sees a shimmer inside an oyster and he throws it into the basket. Steinbeck illustrates, “This was the Song of the Pearl That Might Be, for every shell thrown into the basket might contain a pearl” (17).
Kino hears this song whenever he feels that a pearl might be found, and he begins to imagine what the pearl can do for them. In this instance, the song is symbolic of the hope he feels. Kino hears this song whenever the pearl may bring fortune to his family. However, the emotions of this song soon change. As Kino and his family are escaping the trackers, Steinbeck writes, “the music of the pearl had become sinister in his ears, and it was interwoven with the music of evil” (71).
The Essay on The Pearl John Steinbeck
Elena Smukler A parable is a short fictional narrative from which a moral is drawn. Many lessons are presented and demonstrated in parables. Lessons are experiences, examples, or observations that impart beneficial new knowledge or wisdom. Lessons are advantageous to communities, and essential in life. From lessons we learn the ways of living, and we acquire the distinction between pure and ...
The emotions Kino associates with this song now represent the tragedy it is bringing on his family. The Songs are played throughout this novel, and they have a great importance in it.
John Steinbeck creates different elements of symbolism to illustrate deeper meaning for the reader as they read this amazing novel known as The Pearl. With the pearl, Steinbeck shows how one item can show all of your hopes and dreams, but he uses darkness to show that evil is lurking all the way through this novel. Although with the songs, Steinbeck is able to portray how different songs can change the moods of characters. Throughout the Symbolism through the pearl, darkness, and the songs; John steinbeck takes this simple novel and turns it into one amazing novel, leaving the reader with a better perspective on life.
