The Pearl is a novella written by American author John Steinbeck, published in 1947. It is a parable about a poor pearl diver named Kino who discovers a rare and valuable pearl, which he believes will bring him and his family a better life. However, the pearl also brings Kino great troubles and ultimately destroys his family. The novella has been adapted into numerous films and stage productions, but perhaps the most well-known adaptation is the film directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1948.
The film follows the basic plot of the novella, with Kino (played by Laurence Olivier) and his wife Juana (played by Jennifer Jones) living in a small fishing village in Mexico. Kino is a poor but hardworking man who dreams of a better life for his family. One day, while diving for pearls, he discovers a huge, rare pearl that he believes will bring him the wealth and prosperity he has always desired.
However, the pearl also brings Kino great problems. Other pearl divers in the village become jealous of Kino's good fortune and plot to steal the pearl from him. Kino becomes paranoid and fearful, and his relationships with his family and community begin to deteriorate. He becomes violent and aggressive, and his once-happy home becomes filled with tension and conflict.
As Kino becomes increasingly obsessed with the pearl, he loses sight of what is truly important in life. He becomes blinded by greed and is willing to do anything to protect the pearl, even if it means sacrificing his own family and community. In the end, Kino's pursuit of the pearl leads to the tragic death of his baby son, Coyotito, and he realizes that the pearl was not worth the suffering it brought upon him.
The Pearl is a poignant and powerful tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of family and community. The film adaptation, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, does a great job of capturing the themes and emotions of the original novella, and the performances by Laurence Olivier and Jennifer Jones are top-notch. It is a classic film that is well worth watching for anyone interested in Steinbeck's works or in thought-provoking tales about the human condition.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck Plot Summary
Of Mice And Men Vs The Pearl The aspect of the John Steinbeck novels, The Pearl and Of Mice and Men, that is most comparable is how, in both books, Steinbeck denies the main characters of each book, Kino and George and Lennie to change their role in life or to beat fate. Behind them, their house is burning. Kino decides to head to the capital while things are settled, believing that it will be safer to travel now. From the cave, Coyotito wakes in the night and begins to cry. Portraits Using a LCD Projection Use and LCD projector to create at least TWO interesting photo shoots. That night, after dark, Kino hears noises in the house and manages to strike a thief looking for the pearl with his knife, but is also struck in return.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Kino kills him, and he also loses the pearl. After getting up and stepping outside, he was attacked. Kino does not heed this warning, nor the pleas from his wife to get rid of the pearl, and ultimately, this costs him and his family more than the value of the pearl could ever bring. Kino saw the pearl as a symbol of hope, but Juana saw it as evil. It was the largest pearl in the world. Coyotito had been shot and killed.
The Pearl (film)
After looking at the pearl one last time and seeing its surface reflect images of all the disasters that have befallen him, Kino throws it into the ocean. It has brought evil, Kino, my husband, it will destroy us. Furious that Juana would betray him in such a way, he hits her and when she falls, he kicks her as well. When Kino gets back to the cave, he discovers that the bullet fired from the man he attacked has struck and killed Coyotito. As he shoots, Kino attacks and stabs him and then takes the gun and turns on the other two men. Or save it responsibly for the future? They go to Juan Tomás's, and he, like Juana, says the pearl is evil.
The Pearl (1947)
While Kino dives into the ocean to collect oysters, Juana treats Coyotito's wounds with seaweed. The doctor makes Coyotito sick again, so he can cure the child and get money from Kino. As they run away they are followed by two natives and a man on a horse. A Stroke of Good Fortune Kino, his wife Juana , and their infant son Coyotito are a Mexican-Indian family in good spirits and health who live close to the ocean. With three examples from the novel, I will explain what the pearl in the book symbolizes. You may take your family for granted and one day you will be sorry you did not help them make their life better when they are gone. Better yet, imagine holding a winning lottery ticket that everyone either tries to cheat you out of or rob from you.