Question 8
In the story 'The Pearl', what is the main underlying human weakness that is portrayed? Relate the events in the story which bring out that weakness.
The novel that I have studied is 'The Pearl' written by John Steinbeck. In the novel, the main underlying human weakness portrayed is greed.
Firstly, greed can be seen through the doings of the doctor. When poor little Coyotito is stung by the detrimental scorpion, Juana commands Kino to get the doctor. When everyone including Kino say that the doctor will not come to them, Juana decides that they will go to the doctor in order to get treatment. Being the greedy person that he is, the doctor refuses to treat Coyotito as Kino has only "eight small misshapen seed pearls" (page 11) to offer. However, as soon as the news that Kino finds a magnificent pearl which is as "perfect as the moon" (page 19), reaches the ears of the doctor, he quickly pays them a visit and offers to treat Coyotito. The doctor poisons little Coyotito by giving him a capsule containing white powder in order to worsen his condition. By doing that, he will be able to charge at a higher price, to treat Coyotito, the next time he promises to be back for a review. This goes to show how far the doctor is willing to go just to obtain more money. I think it is very unethical for the doctor to do so because putting an innocent life in danger for his own benefit, is not right.
Besides that, when the news about Kino finding the stunning pearl spreads, several pearl buyers quickly set their eyes on the pearl. In order to be able to obtain the pearl at a lower price, a group of them work together to plot a scheme just so they will be able to manipulate Kino into selling the pearl to them at a much lower price than what it is worth. Fortunately, Kino is aware of their conspiracy and refuses to sell the pearl to any of them no matter what they say unless he is offered at least fifty thousand pesos. In my opinion, their actions are very merciless and selfish as they are willing to neglect the welfare of others just so they can get the pearl at a lower price. They know very well that the luminous pearl is one of great value but they still insist to do so.
Also, the priest shows his true colours when he finds out about Kino owning the amazing pearl. The priest pays Kino and his family an unexpected visit and then tells Kino that he is named after a great man and makes it sound like a benediction. Later, he asks Kino about the great pearl just so he can have a glimpse of it. Seeing the infamous beauty of the pearl, the priest hints to Kino and his family that they should not forget to thank "Him" for the fortune. This shows that even the priest has his greedy side too.
Other than that, a gang of attackers shows their greedy side through their unmerciful actions. The ruthless attackers attack defenseless Kino and his family for a total of three times. The first attack takes place inside his house when he is sleeping. Kino suddenly awakens from his sleep and sees a dark figure. Without hesitation, Kino immediately tries to strike it. Unfortunately, Kino himself is hit on the head by it. The following night, the second attack takes place when Kino feels "dark creeping things" (page 54) lurking outside, waiting for him to go out. As soon as he steps foot outside, he is attacked again but dismally, this time, blood oozes down from his head. The third attack happens at the beach, after a huge argument between Kino and Juana. On the way back, Kino hears someone running at him and instantly, he uses his knife to strike that person. Fortunately, this time he is able to kill the attacker. I find the attackers really heartless as they are willing to hurt innocent people just to achieve what they desire. They have a callous attitude towards the sufferings of others.
Ultimately, Kino too shows a greedy side. When the pearl buyers offer him a low price for the superb pearl, he refuses to give in as he feels that the great pearl deserves more. Due to that, he gets him and his family in trouble for numerous times because the attackers keep attacking them in order to steal the pearl away from him and someone even hires a group of trackers to track them down, causing them to be on the run. Not only that, his canoe is sabotaged and his house is burnt to the ground, resulting them to be homeless. Kino should just sell the pearl even though it is not much because the pearl brings nothing but predicaments to them. Also, Kino shows his greedy side when attacking his wife. His perceptive wife, Juana, is convinced the pearl is the root of all evil and requests Kino to throw the pearl back to where it comes from. However, due to Kino's greed, he refuses to listen to Juana and hushes her quiet. Juana decides to do something about it by secretly trying to throw the pearl back into the sea while Kino is soundly asleep. Regrettably, Kino finds out and in the process of getting the pearl back, he punches her in the face until she falls to the ground. Kino even kills a attacker who tries to ambush him while he is on his way home. This shows how greedy Kino is as he is willing to harm his ever so faithful wife and even takes away a life. In my opinion, it is very wrong to do what Kino does because it is very inhumane and brutal to do so. To me, violence is never a solution to any problem.
As a conclusion, due to greed, Kino and his family is unable to find peace and serenity in their lives. Kino initially thinks that the awesome pearl will bring him good fortune and their lives will change for the better but actually, the pearl brings them nothing but predicaments. Not only that he and his family are incapable of appreciating the benefits of possessing the pearl, they have to be on the run in order to avoid all the troubles. To stop all the misfortune, he has to throw the mother of all pearls back into the sea. Worst of all, he loses his most priced possession, Coyotito, his one and only son due to greed.
By : Fion Jauw
The novel that I have studied is 'The Pearl' written by John Steinbeck. In the novel, the main underlying human weakness portrayed is greed.
Firstly, greed can be seen through the doings of the doctor. When poor little Coyotito is stung by the detrimental scorpion, Juana commands Kino to get the doctor. When everyone including Kino say that the doctor will not come to them, Juana decides that they will go to the doctor in order to get treatment. Being the greedy person that he is, the doctor refuses to treat Coyotito as Kino has only "eight small misshapen seed pearls" (page 11) to offer. However, as soon as the news that Kino finds a magnificent pearl which is as "perfect as the moon" (page 19), reaches the ears of the doctor, he quickly pays them a visit and offers to treat Coyotito. The doctor poisons little Coyotito by giving him a capsule containing white powder in order to worsen his condition. By doing that, he will be able to charge at a higher price, to treat Coyotito, the next time he promises to be back for a review. This goes to show how far the doctor is willing to go just to obtain more money. I think it is very unethical for the doctor to do so because putting an innocent life in danger for his own benefit, is not right.
Besides that, when the news about Kino finding the stunning pearl spreads, several pearl buyers quickly set their eyes on the pearl. In order to be able to obtain the pearl at a lower price, a group of them work together to plot a scheme just so they will be able to manipulate Kino into selling the pearl to them at a much lower price than what it is worth. Fortunately, Kino is aware of their conspiracy and refuses to sell the pearl to any of them no matter what they say unless he is offered at least fifty thousand pesos. In my opinion, their actions are very merciless and selfish as they are willing to neglect the welfare of others just so they can get the pearl at a lower price. They know very well that the luminous pearl is one of great value but they still insist to do so.
Also, the priest shows his true colours when he finds out about Kino owning the amazing pearl. The priest pays Kino and his family an unexpected visit and then tells Kino that he is named after a great man and makes it sound like a benediction. Later, he asks Kino about the great pearl just so he can have a glimpse of it. Seeing the infamous beauty of the pearl, the priest hints to Kino and his family that they should not forget to thank "Him" for the fortune. This shows that even the priest has his greedy side too.
Other than that, a gang of attackers shows their greedy side through their unmerciful actions. The ruthless attackers attack defenseless Kino and his family for a total of three times. The first attack takes place inside his house when he is sleeping. Kino suddenly awakens from his sleep and sees a dark figure. Without hesitation, Kino immediately tries to strike it. Unfortunately, Kino himself is hit on the head by it. The following night, the second attack takes place when Kino feels "dark creeping things" (page 54) lurking outside, waiting for him to go out. As soon as he steps foot outside, he is attacked again but dismally, this time, blood oozes down from his head. The third attack happens at the beach, after a huge argument between Kino and Juana. On the way back, Kino hears someone running at him and instantly, he uses his knife to strike that person. Fortunately, this time he is able to kill the attacker. I find the attackers really heartless as they are willing to hurt innocent people just to achieve what they desire. They have a callous attitude towards the sufferings of others.
Ultimately, Kino too shows a greedy side. When the pearl buyers offer him a low price for the superb pearl, he refuses to give in as he feels that the great pearl deserves more. Due to that, he gets him and his family in trouble for numerous times because the attackers keep attacking them in order to steal the pearl away from him and someone even hires a group of trackers to track them down, causing them to be on the run. Not only that, his canoe is sabotaged and his house is burnt to the ground, resulting them to be homeless. Kino should just sell the pearl even though it is not much because the pearl brings nothing but predicaments to them. Also, Kino shows his greedy side when attacking his wife. His perceptive wife, Juana, is convinced the pearl is the root of all evil and requests Kino to throw the pearl back to where it comes from. However, due to Kino's greed, he refuses to listen to Juana and hushes her quiet. Juana decides to do something about it by secretly trying to throw the pearl back into the sea while Kino is soundly asleep. Regrettably, Kino finds out and in the process of getting the pearl back, he punches her in the face until she falls to the ground. Kino even kills a attacker who tries to ambush him while he is on his way home. This shows how greedy Kino is as he is willing to harm his ever so faithful wife and even takes away a life. In my opinion, it is very wrong to do what Kino does because it is very inhumane and brutal to do so. To me, violence is never a solution to any problem.
As a conclusion, due to greed, Kino and his family is unable to find peace and serenity in their lives. Kino initially thinks that the awesome pearl will bring him good fortune and their lives will change for the better but actually, the pearl brings them nothing but predicaments. Not only that he and his family are incapable of appreciating the benefits of possessing the pearl, they have to be on the run in order to avoid all the troubles. To stop all the misfortune, he has to throw the mother of all pearls back into the sea. Worst of all, he loses his most priced possession, Coyotito, his one and only son due to greed.
By : Fion Jauw
posted by Fion Jauw at
9:00 AM
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