The Pearl

    With an outstanding plot, a detailed yet gorgeous writing style, and a realistic illustration of a famous parable, The Pearl is an outstanding novella!  Written in 1947, The Pearl is a famous John Steinbeck work.  Based on a Mexican folktale, The Pearl is an amazing piece of fiction.
     The Pearl begins with a man named Kino, the main character, who resides in La Paz, Mexico, with his wife, Juana, and his infant son, Coyotito.  Although Kino glances at a poisonous scorpion and kills it, the scorpion viciously bites his son.  The family leaves their house and goes to the rich doctor for help.  Because the family is poor, they can't afford a visit to the doctor.  Desperately in need of money, the family begins looking for pearls when all of a sudden, Kino finds a pearl as big as a "sea-gull's egg."  This finding results in a hopeful, glowing aura that not only his family believes will bring great fortune, but also the town believes.  With this pearl, the baby is able to see the doctor, and Kino promises to pay him tomorrow, the day he goes to sell the pearl.  The next day, his family packs up to sell the pearl.  From every person they try to sell the pearl to, they get offers that are fifty times less than what they expected.  This causes Kino to travel all the way to the capital, so he can get the fairest offer.  With the whole town knowing that he has this valuable possession, people are attacking Kino causing him to kill at least four people.  In the end, a hunter shoots Coyotito, thinking that he is a wild animal.  With a dead baby in his arms, Kino decides to go back to the village and throws the pearl into the water without any monetary gain.

     "And, as with all retold tales that are in people's hearts, there are only good and bad things and black and white things and good an evil things and no in-between anywhere."  This quotation displays an exemplary painting for the purpose of Steinbeck's novella.  Even though Kino was in a terrible situation, the actions that he shows were unacceptable, such as murder and greed and had unbearable consequences.  John Steinbeck's writing is unique.  His planning fits in an orderly manner, and his ideas are developed and organized.  Although some critics identify his writing as specific as a sixty-eight year old man's writing, I find his writings to be naturally beautiful.
     "My son will read and open the books, and my son will write and will know writing.  And my son will make numbers, and these things will make us free because he will know---he will know and through him we will know. . . This is what the pearl will do."  In this quote, Kino just found the amazing pearl and prophecies about the life his son will have.  This quote demonstrates the depth that Steinbeck labors in his piece.
     A developed plot, a unique writing style, and a fantastic moral, The Pearl is more than just a book on a shelf.  The novella puts a fresh perspective on life's deepest issues.  It is truly, a favorite.