Essential Questions and Themes in The Pearl
- Do you think that wisdom can be gained from tragedy? Defend your answer by relating to John Steinbeck’s novel The Pearl. Be sure to define the conflicts which lead to the ultimate tragedy.
- A common theme in literature is that the appearance of things is not the same as the reality of them. Consider The Pearl in the light of what it appears to be and what it really is. By referring to the story, show that one theme is the difference between appearances and reality.
- Discuss the use of music in The Pearl. Describe how the Song of the Family, the Song of Evil, and the Song of the Pearl are used in the story. Explain the changes in the songs as one song takes over another, and how they begin to play all at once. How does this affect the reader? How does Steinbeck’s use of songs support his message(s) to the reader? Support with examples.
- By referring to the incidents in the story, prove or disprove the following: A major theme in this story is that being a part of a larger whole (a family, civilization, clique, or other group) brings safety, security, and happiness; when one turns his or her back on the unit, however, unhappiness is the result.
- What is Steinbeck saying about the relationship between sudden wealth and misfortune?
- How does Steinbeck use the ideas of dreams and illusions in the novel?
- Challenge Question: It is said that Steinbeck “wanted to be an individualist; he admired individualists, yet he also had a strong social conscience and a strong sense of right and wrong.” (Social conscience means knowing the difference between right and wrong in the big picture of society. Steinbeck wants the reader to be concerned for the oppressed, the losers, and the poor.) So would Steinbeck blame Kino for Coyotito’s death? Or blame society for causing Kino to go astray? Support your answer with examples from the text.
- Steinbeck begins The Pearl by saying of his story that “there are only good and bad things and black and white things and good and evil things and no in-between anywhere.” Identify three characters in The Pearl who are basically only good or evil. Using quotes to support your analysis, describe them as you think Steinbeck meant them to be characterized.\