The Pearl

1
The Pearl

• A novel by
• John Steinbeck

2
Who is John Steinbeck?

• Born 1902 in Salinas, California
• In 1962, he was the 6th American to win the Nobel
  Prize in Literature
• Wrote 16 novels, 4 screenplays and many short
  stories

3
More on Steinbeck

• Some scholars consider his work simplistic
• His work focused largely on people outside polite
  society
• Now considered an environmental writer

4
When reading The Pearl

• Consider the symbolism
• Think about what the people are like in La Paz,
  Mexico. Why did Steinbeck write about these
  people?
• What are some of the themes incorporated into
  this work?
• Whats a parable?

5
Symbolism

• In a broad sense, symbolism is about using one
  object to represent or suggest another.
• For example, is the pearl always just about the
  pearl, or does it represent other things for
  Kino? If it does signify other things, think
  about what these things might be.

6
What is a parable?

• Its a story that answers a question or points to
  a moral lesson.
• If The Pearl is a parable, think about what
  questions it might answer or what moral lessons
  it suggests.

7
What about theme?

• The theme of a work of fiction is the abstract
  concept demonstrated by the action, the
  characters, or the images of the work.
• What are some themes explored in The Pearl?

8
A word about pearls

• Pearls are made by mollusks.
• They are the result of an irritation, say like a
  grain of sand, that is coated again and again by
  the oyster.

9
Pearl of Allah

• Pearl of AllahThe Pearl of Allah is the largest
  pearl on record, and was recovered from a 160-lb
  Giant Clam. This pearl is 23.8 cm long, and
  weighs 6.4 kg (about 14 lbs). It was reportedly
  found by a free-diving pearl diver on May 7,
  1934, at Palawan Island, Philippines.
• According to the Guiness Book of Records, the San
  Francisco Gem Laboratory has valued this pearl at
  40 million. Also called the Pearl of Lao-Tsu or
  Lao-Tse Pearl.

10
La Paz

• La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur.
• My atlas (1996) lists its population as 137,641.
  A lot bigger than it was half a century ago!
• Check out http//www.vivalapaz.com

11
La Paz

• Heres a photograph of a beach in La Paz.
  Doesnt look too bad, eh?