The Pearl Essay

"The need was great and the desire was great, the little secret melody of the pearl was mighty."(pg. 18) In the book "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck Kino the main character was in great need of a pearl to save his son Coyotito from a scorpion bite. When Kino found this pearl he became very emotional because all of his prayers were answered by God or the gods. Kino soon found the pearl becoming his soul because of the money and power it held.

Kino became very obsessed with the pearl and the idea of money."This pearl has become my soul, and if I give it up I shall lose my soul." (pg. 67)This was the quote that John Steinbeck used to show that Kino became obsessed with the pearl. Kino was very poor and living in a brush house at the time when he found the pearl. He thought that this "Pearl of the World," would change his families life for the better. Juana Kino's husband at first thought this was a wonderful happening. She soon realized that this pearl was evil and going to ruin her family.

The thought of his family having money was just to precious for Kino to give up. Kino kept on persisting to get the full amount of the pearl for his family. Juana soon realized that Kino didn't just want the pearl for the family we wanted it for himself too. Greediness got in the way of Kino's love and compassion for his family and friends.

Greediness is a habit and many people don’t realize that. Have you ever wanted something so bad just because it will make popular or just for the fact of having it? That is how I can relate to Kino is by greediness because I always want something because everyone else has it. I know that greediness can get the better of me. Everyone has a greediness side and Kino surely had that side that brought out the worst in him. I hope no one ever has to go through what Kino and Juana and even Coyotito went through.

Greediness is the number one problem in the world, because it can bring out the worst in people. Kino was one of those people that couldn't handle the power of the pearl. Juana was very selfless and wanted to get rid of the pearl to save her family. This is what we need in the world to make us a better community. If we all were like Juana life would be perfect, but nobody is perfect and that is the way of life.