Symbols In John Steinbeck's 'The Pearl'

Steinbeck's Symbols in The Pearl In The Pearl, John Steinbeck's use of symbols emphasizes that the conflict between purity and evil present in one's life is potentially deleterious. The symbol of Kino's pearl represents evil and sin within the depths of wealth, with the ability to transform one into a savage. Kino's pearl, as significant as it is, ironically blinds Kino with hope and desire for his son's future. After Kino gave a prophecy about how the pearl would grant a perfect future for his son, his neighbors gave their perspectives saying "there it started. A foolish madness came over him so that he spoke foolish words. God keep us from such things. Yes, God punished Kino because he rebelled against the way things are"(26). This quote shows the risk Kino puts himself in. The pearl has persuaded him that his life would now be comfortable. Kino's prophecy represents his surmise. The most valuable pearl had
Her recognition that "[the] pearl is like a sin" shows the idea of wickedness enclosed in wealth(38). The pearl represents sin and greed. Although nourishment can come from prosperity, it can invite other outside forces to come and purloin it, this proves that the pearl can turn heads and persuade people to change. Likewise, when Kino raged at Juana because she tried to dispose of his pearl he "hissed at her like a snake"(59). This shows that Kino was turned literally animalistic, altered by the pearl. This is significant because one can see the drastic change between the loving, caring husband in the beginning, unaffected by the pearl, and how he turned into a cruel violent abuser. The pearl symbolizes sin and coaxing that contrasts with goodness, replacing it with evil. The way the pearl transforms honor into wickedness reveals how it illustrates a larger picture for gradual