Essay Sample on Symbolism in the Pearl by John Steinbeck

Finding a magical pearl may offer you joy and happiness, as well as new opportunities that you would not have had otherwise. Every wonderful item has a drawback, and with this pearl, you may become a major target. A prominent example of this may be found in John Steinbeck's novel "The Pearl." Kino, the main character, visits a doctor in the hopes of rescuing his baby from a scorpion sting. Where he is turned down, forcing him to go in quest of the Pearl of the World in order to pay for the baby's care. The world's pearl is a doorway into a life of higher prestige and accomplishment. He finds the pearl by chance. Although Kino perceives the pearl as a sign of new elements of their lives that were previously unattainable, as the narrative progresses, the pearl becomes a symbol of menace. 

The pearl represents new aspects of their lives that were once inaccessible for Kino and his family at the opening of the narrative. A good example of this is the description of all the new items Kino and his family will obtain with the pearl that runs throughout the third chapter. Through his imagination, Kino comes to see the pearl as a portal into a new world. This is well expressed when it says, "My son will read and open books, and my son will write and know writing...and through him we shall know." This evidence indicates that the pearl represents something their family could never have had the ability for because Kino never had the option to go to school. The resources and knowledge his son will gain in school will benefit not just Kino but also his community in learning and progressing. To emphasize this image, we see Kino and his wife Juana discussing how they would use the money from the pearl to strengthen their bond by marriage, which they could never afford previously. A good depiction is where it reads, "... and they were getting married now that they could pay."... "We shall get married in the church," he said quietly. We can see from this that the pearl serves as a gateway to new opportunities and things they would not have been able to do in their previous condition of poverty. Although this appears to be extremely pleasant, all good things have a cost, which Kino in “The Pearl” pays.

Although the symbolism of the pearl appeared to be favorable early in the narrative, it did not remain so. Later in the story, the pearl is transformed into a symbol of peril.  As Kino has the world's pearl, mankind is consumed with hunger for their own passions and demands.  As a result, Kino becomes a target in order to obtain the pearl. A prime example of this is when it says "...and Kino's pearl went into the dreams, the speculations, the schemes, the plans, the futures, the wishes, the needs, the lusts, the hungers, of everyone, and only one person stood in the way and that was Kino, so that he became curiously every man's enemy.” Based on this information, we can conclude that the pearl is turning people against Kino who don't even know who he is. Putting him in danger for the sake of the pearl. The pearl reveals its malicious essence once more in chapter four, when Kino perceives danger and believes he's at risk.. A good illustration is when it states “In his head he heard only the dark music of the enemy. His senses were burningly alive, but his mind went back to the deep participation with all things, the gift he had from his people.” Kino's worries display that Kino is troubled and that all of the bliss in the early chapters is about to end as danger approaches and he can hear the enemy's song, implying that something horrible is about to happen. From this, we can see how something as insignificant as a pearl may lead you to believe you're blessed and your life is improving, to driving everyone against you and putting you head first in harm's way.