Reflection: The Pearl

Reflection

The Pearl is a book that is amazingly short; however, this 90 pages book gives an important moral and meaning for us to keep in mind. As John Steinbeck has mentioned to us that this story, The Pearl was a story that was a parable. First, a parable is a story that basically gives us a clear, definite meaning. For The Pearl, I personally think that the meaning is that you should never be overwhelmed by the idea of greed, because if greed takes over you, you will become a destructive force to the near matter.

First of all, we can see the idea of this meaning through many parts in the story. In the beginning, we could see Kino as a person who is very paternal, caring, and a peaceful guy.

“Kino’s eye opened, and he looked first at the lightening square which was the door and then he looked at the hanging box where Coyotito slept. And last he turned his head to Juana, his wife, who lay beside him on the mat, her blue head shawl over her nose and over her breasts and around the small of her back.” (pg. 1)

This part of the story gives big information of how Kino was, the way he acts towards his family. Even during the night, he checks over his family to find out whether they are safe. However, as we keep on going to the end of the book, he becomes a totally different person.

““They have taken the pearl. I have lost it. Now it is over,” he said. “The pearl is gone.” Juana quieted him as she would quiet a sick child. “Hush,” she said. “Here is your pearl. I found it in the path. Can you hear me now? Here is your pearl. Can you understand? You have killed a man. We must go away. They will come for us, can you understand? We must be gone before the daylight comes.”” (pg. 61)

Already, it is shown that Kino has killed a man because he thought that the pearl was stolen by this person. The only reason that Kino might have killed this man other than self-protection is because of his greed and his want of wielding the pearl. This is a clear example of how the meaning of this book can be described as never become overwhelmed by greed, for greed will always make you into a destructive force.

Other evidences that might bring up the idea of this meaning of greed is when Kino can’t give up on his pearl.

““No one shall take our good fortune from us,” he said.” (pg. 57)

This text emphasizes the idea, not that greed is addicting, but how overwhelming the idea of greed is. If the idea of greed was just an idea that was a desire, Kino would have probably went with Juana to give up on the pearl or could have sold it to the pearl buyers. However, through this passage, we can come up with the idea that Kino won’t give up the pearl because of some thoughtless desire of his. This one irresponsible thought by Kino brings a disaster to his family.

Lastly, greed is not only shown in Kino’s perspective, but also in the people around him.

“Blood oozed down from his scalp and there was a long deep cut in his cheek from ear to chin, a deep, bleeding slash. And Kino was only half conscious. He shook his head from side to side. His shirt was torn open and his clothes half pulled off.” (pg. 56)

This passage basically tells you that Kino was attacked during the night by a man or a woman because of the overwhelmed desire of the pearl. Either the man or the woman couldn’t control his/her desires and greed that they eventually came to try and steal the pearl. However, they couldn’t. That was when they attacked Kino. Otherwise, it was because they didn’t want to be caught stealing. This clearly backs up the meaning that greed can turn you into a destructive force.

In conclusion, this book clearly shows the change of Kino from a paternal person to an evil murderer because of overwhelming greed. Next, Kino’s thoughts show how greed’s overwhelming power can lead to a disastrous ending. Thus, the fact that Kino’s neighbors tried putting hands on the pearl and attacking Kino showed greed with destructive force. Therefore, this book was a parable with a meaning: never be overwhelmed by the idea of greed, because if greed takes over you, you will become a destructive force to the near matter.

This meaning, that you should never be overwhelmed by greed, can always reflect to me. It is because I had many moments where I had become selfish because of greed. For instance, I had received a reward from my parents for doing something really good. However, when I had received it, this feeling of desire of more and this urge came to me. I wanted more. That was when I had done evil and not-right things. I tried to trick my parents to get other additional rewards like games, toys, and electronics. However instead, I got punished for asking for more. This desire of something and greed can surely turn you into someone totally different and get you into real mess just like Kino in The Pearl.