Chapter 6: The Pearl by John Steinbeck: Unit Overview

Chapter 6 (pg. 66-87) 1. Why is Kino more convinced than ever that the pearl is of great value? Kino is more convinced than ever that the pearl is of great value because he sees how far people are willing to go to obtain it. Despite the dangers and violence surrounding the pearl, he believes that its worth is confirmed by the lengths to which others are willing to go to possess it. 2. On page 66, Steinbeck says Kino was being moved by “some animal thing.” What does he mean by this? When Steinbeck says Kino was being moved by "some animal thing," he means that Kino is driven by primal instincts and impulses. Kino's actions and decisions are guided by basic survival instincts and raw emotions rather than rational thought or reason. 3. What awakens him from his sleep? Kino is awakened from his sleep by the sound of approaching trackers and their dogs. 4. Who does Kino see in the road? Why does he say they will be back? In the road, Kino sees the trackers who are pursuing him and his family. He says they will be back because he knows they are determined to capture him and recover the pearl, which they see as valuable and worth risking their lives for. 5. Why does Kino consider letting the trackers take him? What does Juana say that convinces him not to? Kino considers letting the trackers take him because he believes it may be the only way to protect Juana and Coyotito from harm. However, Juana convinces him not to by reminding him of their duty to protect their family and fight for their survival together. 6. Why does Juana reject Kino’s plan to separate? Juana rejects Kino's plan to separate because she believes that they are stronger together and have a better chance of surviving if they remain united as a family. 7. How are the mountain pools places of both life and death for the animals in the area? The mountain pools are places of both life and death for the animals in the area because they provide vital water sources for survival, but they also attract predators and pose risks of drowning or injury. 8. What plan does Kino make to get rid of the trackers? Kino plans to deceive the trackers by leaving a false trail and hiding with Juana and Coyotito in a cave until the trackers give up their pursuit. 9. What happens to disrupt his plan? His plan is disrupted when Coyotito cries out, revealing their hiding place to the trackers. 10. In their return to the village, what is unusual in the manner that they are walking? What might this signify? In their return to the village, they are walking with their heads held high and their backs straight, signifying their defiance and resilience in the face of adversity. 11. On page 85 how is Kino described? How are both described? On page 85, Kino is described as "a terrible machine," while the trackers are described as "hunting animals." This characterization emphasizes the dehumanizing effect of violence and greed on both Kino and his pursuers. 12. In Chapter 1 when Kino first looked at the pearl he saw a church wedding for Juana and himself. On page 86 what does he see in the pearl now? On page 86, Kino sees in the pearl the image of Coyotito's dead body wrapped in a blanket, symbolizing the tragedy and loss that the pearl has brought upon their family. 13. What action do Kino and Juana take at the end of this story? Why? At the end of the story, Kino and Juana throw the pearl back into the sea, symbolizing their rejection of the materialism and greed that it represents. They do this to rid themselves of the curse of the pearl and to regain their peace and happiness. 14. If you assume that Kino threw the pearl back because he felt guilty, then what does the pearl symbolize and what is the lesson that this parable is teaching? If Kino threw the pearl back because he felt guilty, then the pearl symbolizes the corrupting influence of greed and the destructive consequences of pursuing wealth at the expense of one's humanity. The lesson taught is that true happiness and fulfillment come from valuing love, family, and inner peace over material possessions. 15. If you assume that Kino threw the pearl back out of rage and frustration then what does the pearl symbolize and what is the lesson to be learned? If Kino threw the pearl back out of rage and frustration, then the pearl symbolizes the false promise of wealth and success. The lesson to be learned is that greed and ambition can lead to ruin and despair, and that true happiness comes from accepting and appreciating what one already has. 16. Steinbeck is often associated with a movement in writing called naturalism. Naturalists believed that man does not have free will; rather man’s fate is determined by large social and economic forces he cannot control. If that is the case, what is the lesson to be learned? If man's fate is determined by social and economic forces beyond his control, then the lesson to be learned is that individuals must navigate these forces with humility and resilience, recognizing the limits of their power and the importance of community and solidarity in facing adversity. 17. On the other hand, you may see the pearl as a symbol of something else with a different lesson to be learned. If that is so, write what you think that might be. Alternatively, the pearl could symbolize the illusion of power and status that distracts individuals from the true sources of meaning and fulfillment in life. The lesson might be that true wealth and happiness come from living in harmony with nature, embracing simplicity, and cultivating compassion and generosity towards others.