Steinbeck attended Salinas High School, and after graduating in 1919 Steinbeck attended Stanford University intermittently from 1920 to 1925. Originally an English major, he pursued a program of independent study and his attendance was sporadic. During this time he worked periodically at various jobs and left Stanford permanently to pursue his writing career in New York. However, he was unsuccessful in getting any of his writing published and finally returned to California.

His first novel, Cup of Gold, was published in 1929, but attracted little attention. His two subsequent novels, The Pastures of Heaven and To a God Unknown, were also poorly received. Steinbeck married his first wife, Carol Henning in 1930 and moved to the Pacific Grove. He published Tortilla Flat in 1935. This marked the turning point in Steinbeck's literary career. It received the California Commonwealth Club's Gold Medal for best novel by a California author. Stei

In Lord of the Flies, the first person to realize that there is evil is Simon, and when he tries to do something about it, he gets killed by the group leaded by Jack. In the pearl when Juana realizes that this pearl is evil and tries to do something about it, Kino beats her. This evil blinds Jack and Kino and causes them both to hurt and to kill. The evil also makes them loose their innocence and turn into savages.

Kino's neighbors wonder what they would do if they had found the pearl, and suggest giving it as a present to the Pope, buying Masses for the souls of his family, and distributing it among the poor of La Paz. Kino goes to sell his pearl, accompanied by his neighbors, but the pearl dealer only offers a thousand pesos when Kino believes that he deserves fifty thousand. Although other dealers inspect the pearl and give similar prices, Kino refuses their offer and decides to go to the capital to sell it there. That night, Kino is attacked by more thieves, and Juana once again reminds Kino that the pearl is evil. However, Kino vows that he will not be cheated, for he is a man.

The Pearl, which takes place in La Paz, Mexico, begins with a description of the seemingly idyllic family life of Kino, his wife Juana and their infant son, Coyotito. Kino watches as Coyotito sleeps, but sees a scorpion crawl down the rope that holds the hanging box where Coyotito lies. Kino attempts to catch the scorpion, but Coyotito bumps the rope and the scorpion falls on him. Although Kino kills the scorpion, it still stings Coyotito. Juana and Kino, accompanied by their neighbors, go to see the local doctor, who refuses to treat Coyotito because Kino cannot pay.

The Pearl: The pearl takes on different appearances throughout the story. By the time Kino throws it back into the sea it has become "ugly; it was gray, like a malignant growth." However, earlier in the story the pearl's secret melody was, like the pearl itself, "clear and beautiful, rich and warm and lovely, glowing and gloating and triumphant." But, Steinbeck's tone and choice of words in these earlier descriptions leads us to wonder if the pearl is really what it seems. To Kino, through "the lovely gray surface of the pearl came the little things (he) wanted: a harpoon...a rifle." Even when Kino hears the evil music, he looks at the "beauty of the pearl, winking and glimmering in the light of the little candle." But Steinbeck warns us that Kino is " blinded... by its beauty." To Juana, the pearl quickly becomes evil. She tells Kino, "It will destroy us all... Even our son." The boat: The canoe to Kino has special significance. It was his grandfather's and has been passed on to him. Because of the canoe he has a special power, an ability to fish in the way other villagers may not. So, the boat is not only a symbol of his well-being, but is, in actuality, his means to a better life. When Kino goes to get the canoe so that he can take the pearl to the capital he finds it ruined. The boat's importance is more fully conveyed through Steinbeck's personification of it.

Quote 1: "Sometimes it rose to an aching chord that caught the throat, saying this is safety, this is warmth, this is the Whole." (Chapter 1, pg. 3.) Kino is expressing the impact of a song Juana is singing. He says even though this song only has three notes, it has an endless variety of interval. This song is sung when there is a feeling of safety surrounding them, there is a song for every feeling or event.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 3586
Approximate Pages = 14 (250 words per page double spaced)