EAL Comp
“The Pearl” Essay
You will write a well-constructed essay on the novel, “The Pearl.” Select one of the questions listed
below to write your essay on. Do not forget to include quotes that will support your points in each
paragraph of your essay.
Essay Topics:
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
6.)
Describe Kino’s character (provide 3 character traits)
Describe Juana’s character (provide 3 character traits)
Describe the doctor’s character (provide 3 character traits)
Determine whether Kino was a good father and husband or not.
Describe the nature of Kino and Juana’s relationship
There are numerous examples of irony used throughout the story. Describe how the element of irony
plays a huge role in The Pearl.
7.) “We do know that we are cheated at birth to the overcharge on our coffins. But we survive. You have
defied not the pearl buyers, but the whole structure, the whole way of life, and I am afraid for you.”
Explain what Juan Thomas is talking about when he mentions “the whole structure” and why it is so
important to the story.
8.) Your choice. Have Mr. Thies approve your thesis.
Paragraph 1
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ESSAY OUTLINE
some introductory sentences about the general topic, introducing both the novel and the idea
you will be writing about
Your thesis statement
GENERAL TOPIC (Topic sentence)
This novel shows a great example of a good family and the importance of staying together. It
demonstrates the importance of being a strong and family man, and a good leader.
SENTENCE INTRODUCING THE NOVEL
"The Pearl" is a story about a poor family who have nothing. Kino, husband and father has to provide
for his family the best way he can. One day he finds pearl, but not an ordinary pearl, but one that
could provide for generations.
SENTENCE INTRODUCING YOUR TOPIC (WHAT ARE YOU WRITING ON?)
In this adventurous story written by John Steinbeck, Kino and his family find a really valuable pearl,
and they attempt to protect it from greedy hands, so could sell it and become rich.
THESIS STATEMENT (WHAT IS THE MAIN POINT YOUR WHOLE ESSAY WILL FOCUS
ON?)
Kino is married to Juana, and he is a father to his newborn son. Being a husband and a father is
tough, but Kino tries to be good to his family while protecting himself from people who want to steal
the pearl from them.
Paragraph 2
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a topic sentence, explaining one important argument
examples
explanations
a concluding sentence
TOPIC SENTENCE (ONE MAIN POINT TO SUPPORT YOUR THESIS/MAIN POINT)
Kino has demonstrated that he is happily married to Juana and he has no plans to change that.
It is noticeable that this couple try their best to support each other, and keep each other happy.
EXAMPLE
In Chapter 3, one night, a couple of "burglars" were trying to steal the pearl, Kino was scared
but he was brave enough to try and subdue the burglar.
Even though he failed to catch him, he made an attempt.
EXPLANATION FOR THE EXAMPLE
If his family wouldn't had been there he would've coward in his bed, and let the burglar steal the
pearl.
EXAMPLE
Chapter 4, when every pearl buyer rejected Kino's proposed price, because they wanted to trick him
to think his pearl is worthless, so they could buy it for a better price, Kino never gave up, because he
wanted the money, so he could have a beautiful wedding with Juana, and he wanted Coyotito to
have an education.
EXPLANATION FOR THE EXAMPLE
Kino tried his best to give his family everything he couldn't have, he was selfless. He did want a shiny
new rifle to defend himself, but that was only the peak of the iceberg.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE FOR YOUR PARAGRAPH
He wanted to best the best husband a woman could wish for.
Paragraph 3
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a topic sentence, explaining one important argument
examples
explanations
a concluding sentence
TOPIC SENTENCE (ONE MAIN POINT TO SUPPORT YOUR THESIS/MAIN POINT)
Kino has showed that he is a good father trough out "The Pearl", and that he really cares about
Coyotito.
EXAMPLE
When he opens the oyster for the first time he was thinking about his son, and that he wanted him to
go to school and have an education. He wanted him to be smarter that him.
EXPLANATION FOR THE EXAMPLE
He wanted his son to be smarter than himself, which displays selflessness and love. And I strongly
believe think he loves he's son more than anything else.
EXAMPLE
When Coyotito was stung by a scorpion and needed a doctor, he took him to the doctor. He was
rejected by the doctor, because he is racist, but he went out early next morning to fish for oyster to
find pearls, so he could have a chance to pay
the doctor so he could save his son's life.
EXPLANATION FOR THE EXAMPLE
He needed money more than anything when his little boy was stung by the vicious scorpion, but his
only choice was to find pearls and sell them.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE FOR YOUR PARAGRAPH
Kino is brave and committed to being a father.
Paragraph 4
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a topic sentence, explaining one important argument
examples
explanations
a concluding sentence
TOPIC SENTENCE (ONE MAIN POINT TO SUPPORT YOUR THESIS/MAIN POINT)
Even though he has a great relationship with his wife and son, he isn't perfect. He did beat his wife
after all.
EXAMPLE
In chapter 5,Juana woke up early one night and stole the pearl from Kino because she
believed it was evil and that it was going to destroy them. Kino chased after her, she
held a rock above the pearl and was ready to smash it, but Kino was not going to his wife
destroy the only thing that could make him rich, therefor he kicked her in the ribs and hissed at her.
He was angry.
EXPLANATION FOR THE EXAMPLE
Even though what Juana didn't make the best choice by wanting to destroy the pearl, Kino shouldn't
have beat her, it is an actions of the lowest of the low, and this abuse shouldn't have been
committed.
EXAMPLE
After he beats his wife he kills a man, it was in self-defense, but this is important to the story because
it shows what he is capable of, and that he could have killed Juana if he really wanted to.
EXPLANATION FOR THE EXAMPLE
He had showed that he could have killed his own wife if it came to the circumstances. But just
because he didn't kill Juana, it doesn't make it any less wrong that he "laid her out".
CONCLUDING SENTENCE FOR YOUR PARAGRAPH
He beats his wife and then he kills a man, he showed the actions of a mass murderer, and then he
became one, he may killed the ones on the mountain to protect his family, but killing a man
was not a hard action for him to commit, which should worry the people around him.
Paragraph 5
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a restatement of your thesis
some general thoughts following from this thesis statement
RESTATE YOUR THESIS (USE DIFFERENT WORDS)
Being a husband and father is tough, its even tougher if your poor and discriminated. But finding an
expensive pearl that could help you provide for you're family is until you realize that no one wants to
buy it from you, but kill you for it.
GENERAL THOUGHTS ON YOUR THESIS (THREE SENTENCES)
"The Pearl" focuses a lot on the challenge of having a family and protecting them from danger.
How are you supposed to provide for your family when no one wants to give you a job because of
your race.
Finding something that could save you from starving would be great, but this like the story of
Sisyphus, the closer you seem to be to reaching your goal, the farther you are, it's like a curse.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
Raising a family has some of the toughest challenges of all, and it is important to keep your sanity
at all times, no matter what.
Example of how to collect Quotations
Page #
Full quotation
Why you have included it – how it relates to the topic you are
writing about in the essay.