The Pearl: Summary

The Pearl: Summary


Kino, a poor Indian fisherman, lives on the Gulf of California with his
wife Juana and   son Coyotito. Their simple hut is made of brush, and the couple
sleeps on mats thrown on the dirt floor, while Coyotito sleeps in a hanging box.
Like others in their poor village, they depend on nature for survival.
As The Pearl begins, dawn is breaking. Kino watches the sun rise and
listens to the sounds of the morning. But within moments, a dangerous situation
develops. A poisonous scorpion stings Coyotito, Kino's infant son, and the
baby's screams draw people from all over the village. Juana insists that the
doctor be called, but Kino knows the physician is Spanish and considers himself
above treating poor Indians. This does not satisfy Juana, who announces that if
the doctor will not come to the village, then they will go to his house. But the
doctor refuses to treat Coyotito because Kino is too poor.
Later that day, while Kino and Juana are fishing in the Gulf, Kino finds
an enormous pearl and cries out in joy. He believes the pearl will make him rich
and enable him to provide security for his family. But Kino discovers otherwise.
The pearl stirs envy in the villagers, and that night Kino is attacked in his
hut by a thief. The following day, he tries to sell the pearl to buyers in town,
but he is offered only a small amount of money for it. The buyers all work for
the same man. They know the pearl is worth a fortune but hope to buy it cheaply
by pretending that it is worth little.
Kino says he will sell his pearl in the capital city, where he believes
he will get a fair price. This amazes the villagers because Kino has never
traveled so far. After dark that evening, Kino is attacked again. Juana is sure
the pearl is evil and will destroy the family. During the night, she quietly
removes it from the spot where Kino has hidden it and tries to throw it back
into the ocean. He stops her before she succeeds and beats her for trying. As he
returns to the... [continues]

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