Homo Erectus

The Pearl

By: John Steinbeck

Publisher: The Viking Press and William Heinemann

Publication Date: 1947

Kino is a pearl diver in La Paz and he lives a simple life until he’s young son Coyotito, is stung by a scorpion. The town doctor will not treat Coyotito because Kino is not wealthy and cannot pay the doctor, so Kino and his wife are hoping that their child is saved. That day Kino goes diving, and finds a great pearl and knows he is suddenly a wealthy man. While the town’s people plot against Kino, he dreams of one day marrying Juana in a church and sending Coyotito to school. Kino believes that an education will free his son from the poverty that has oppressed them.

The doctor comes to treat Coyotito once he learns of Kino's pearl, and although the baby is healed by Juana's remedy, the doctor tricks Kino. Into believing Kino that the child is still ill and will die. The doctor then tricks Kino into revealing where he has hidden the great pearl. Kino moves the pearl when the doctor leaves. That night, an intruder comes into Kino's hut looking for the pearl.

The pearl buyers have planned to convince Kino that the great pearl he has found is worth very little because it is too large. But when the buyers try to cheat Kino, he refuses to sell the pearl and plans to take it to another city to sell it at a fair price. His brother, Tom Juan, thinks Kino’s plan is foolish because it defies his entire way of life and puts his family in danger.

Juana warns Kino that the pearl is cursed and will destroy his family, but he refuses to throw it away because it is his one chance to provide a better life for his family. That night, Juana takes the pearl and tries to throw it into the sea, but Kino stops her and hits her. On his way back to their hut, Kino is attacked and he kills the man in self-defense. Juana goes to gather their things and escape and finds the floor of their hut completely dug up. While she's inside the hut getting the baby, someone lights it on...