The Pearl2

A detailed Summary of The Pearl2

In John Steinbeck's The Pearl, a destitute pearl diver finds a giant pearl with which he

hopes to buy peace and happiness for his family. Instead, he learns that the valuable pearl

can not buy happiness but only destroy his simple life. Throughout the fable, there is a

constant theme woven through the characters and setting which encompasses the struggle

among social classes to become successful. Steinbeck, a novelist known for his realistic

depictions of life, portrays this motif through Kino, the doctor, Coyotito, and the town of

John Earnst Steinbeck, author of The Pearl and many other stories, was born on

February 27, 1902, in Salinas, California. Both his father, who ran a flour mill, and his

mother, a teacher, encouraged him to write once they saw his early interest in literature.

Steinbeck began his career by writing articles for his school newspaper and by taking

classes at Stanford University. At the same time, he worked at a local ranch where he

witnessed the harsh treatment of migrant workers. These underprivileged laborers later

served as the inspiration for many of his novels, including The Grapes of Wrath. The

Located on the coast of Mexico, most of the Indians in this town are merely fishermen

success. An innocent victim of greed, he knows nothing more comforting than the simple

trying to feed their families. These people are constantly taken advantage of by traders that

disgraceful doctor represents the arrogance of the powerful towards the powerless.

life he spends in his wooden crib and in his mother's arms. Yet, the pearl and the

come together, and that being wealthy does not mean everything. Most importantly, he

Approximate Word count = 797
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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