The Pearl-the Differences Between Kino’s People and the Doctor
John Steinbeck is the author of the book “The Pearl.” He uses the Indian legend of the “Pearl of the World” for a basis of his story. The main legend begins with the discovery of the pearl and its effect it has on a young Indian boy, thus introduces us to Kino. John Steinbeck describes the life Kino lived before the discovery of the pearl and contrast effects it has on him and his family.
The pearl is symbolic of all the power to deceive, to corrupt and to destroy. It shows the greed of the Christian settlers that live in the small town of La Paz along with Kino’s people (Mexican-Indian). The doctor is trying to gain the pearl for more money. Kino’ race group and the Christian settlers are very much different.
Physically, this contrast is illustrated by the dividing line between the city and the brush town where Kino lives. They city, where the doctor lives, is a massive block of cold stone and plaster, as opposed to the more flexible brush and dirt houses of the natives.
Steinbeck exposes the confrontation between the two race groups when Kino arrives at the doctor’s home. Immediately Kino thinks of the doctor as his enemy. The doctor is a member of the race group that for nearly four hundred years had beaten, robbed and despised Kino’s race. The “music of the enemy” beat through Kino’s ears but still gained courage to ask the doctor for help.
The Christian settler’s house is isolated by huge fences and an iron gate. The natives can hear “caged birds” singing somewhere form the settlers’ house. The settlers seem themselves like caged birds by putting fences and gates, while, the natives who live so close with each other, nature and animals
Kino and his race represent nature, they have rooster near their house, whereas the description of the doctor suggests he represents everything synthetic. The doctor feels no touch of humanity towards Kino since he can’t pay for his child’s treatment. The doctor’s bowl of cigarettes, cup of chocolate and
The pearl is symbolic of all the power to deceive, to corrupt and to destroy. It shows the greed of the Christian settlers that live in the small town of La Paz along with Kino’s people (Mexican-Indian). The doctor is trying to gain the pearl for more money. Kino’ race group and the Christian settlers are very much different.
Physically, this contrast is illustrated by the dividing line between the city and the brush town where Kino lives. They city, where the doctor lives, is a massive block of cold stone and plaster, as opposed to the more flexible brush and dirt houses of the natives.
Steinbeck exposes the confrontation between the two race groups when Kino arrives at the doctor’s home. Immediately Kino thinks of the doctor as his enemy. The doctor is a member of the race group that for nearly four hundred years had beaten, robbed and despised Kino’s race. The “music of the enemy” beat through Kino’s ears but still gained courage to ask the doctor for help.
The Christian settler’s house is isolated by huge fences and an iron gate. The natives can hear “caged birds” singing somewhere form the settlers’ house. The settlers seem themselves like caged birds by putting fences and gates, while, the natives who live so close with each other, nature and animals
Kino and his race represent nature, they have rooster near their house, whereas the description of the doctor suggests he represents everything synthetic. The doctor feels no touch of humanity towards Kino since he can’t pay for his child’s treatment. The doctor’s bowl of cigarettes, cup of chocolate and