Name:_________________________
Section:____
The Pearl
by John Steinbeck
Genre: Mexican folktale
Setting: Colonial Mexican society
Location: Coastal village, La Paz
Timeframe: 19th or 20th Century
Style: Parable - a simple, short work, usually fictitious, that relays a
moral lesson often about good and evil
Allegory - stories in which characters, objects and events
hold fixed, symbolic meaning
Vocabulary for The Pearl
Standard
4.22:
Determine
pronunciations,
meanings,
alternate
word
choices,
parts
of
speech,
or
etymologies
of
words
using
dictionaries
and
thesauruses.
Directions:
On a separate piece of paper, write the following information for each of the terms below:
word, pronunciation, part of speech, definition, synonyms, antonyms, a sentence in which
you use the word correctly, and any derivatives of the word
Example:
benign [buh NINE] (adj.) - not causing harm, of gentle disposition, beneficial
Synonyms – kind, benevolent, caring
Antonyms - malignant, harmful
The minister was loved because of his benign attitude toward all types of people.
Derivatives - benignly, benignant, benignancy, benignantly, benignity
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Chapters 1-3
covey
7. precipitated
indigent
8. lucent
lateen
9. disparagement
bulwark
10. subjugation
perceptible
11. prophecy
illusion
12. dissembling
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Chapters 4-6
benign
7. goading
legerdemain
8. monolithic
edifice
9. escarpment
leprosy
10. intercession
waning
11. petulant
covert
12. malignant
Getting to Know John Steinbeck
Directions: As you watch the movie about author John Steinbeck, answer the following questions.
1. Where and when was John Steinbeck born?__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2 List some of the books written by Steinbeck.
____________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________
3. List three details about Steinbeck’s parents and/or childhood.
1.________________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________________________
4. Who are some of the people who told stories to Steinbeck when he was younger?
5. List three details of Steinbeck’s journey toward becoming a writer.
1.________________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________________________
6. Why did Steinbeck move to Mexico?
7. How did critics respond to The Pearl?
8. Why did Steinbeck write The Pearl?
9. How many times did Steinbeck marry? _______________
10. Steinbeck is considered the last of the great _______________________________________________.
11. What was the name of Steinbeck’s dog?___________________________________________________
12. What prize was Steinbeck awarded? ______________________________________________________
Important Characteristics of the Novel: As we read The Pearl, fill in the following chart.
Protagonist:
Major Conflict:
Rising Action:
Climax:
Falling Action:
Motifs:
Symbols:
Theme(s):
Resolution of Major Conflict:
Chapter 1
Writing prompt: What factors determine the type of music you listen to? Think of one song
that is important to you. What sort of memories does this song evoke? Upon listening to
this song, how does it influence your mood?
Chapter 1 Study Questions:
1. Contrast the different descriptions of the doctor’s house and Kino’s house (700-701).
2. What is the role of beggars?
3. How is Kino’s race different from the doctor’s? What emotions does this evoke?
4. What do you learn about the doctor’s character in this chapter? How does he feel
about natives?
Literary Devices:
Define each of the following literary devices and use the text to provide an example of each.
Metaphor:
Imagery:
Symbolism:
Chapter 2
Writing prompt: Consider the major authority figures in your life; for example: your parents,
grandparents, teachers, community leaders, perhaps a member of the church or even an older
sibling. Select one of these authority figures and in one paragraph, explain why you trust or
distrust him/her. Then, simply list some social authorities we succumb and/or conform to.
List:
Chapter 2 Study Questions:
1. Steinbeck uses animals as symbols throughout his novel. What do the dog and pig
symbolize on page 702? Why do you believe this?
2. Explain how the canoe is a symbol of his [Kino’s] forefathers’ legacy.
3. Explain how the song of “The Pearl That Might Be” helps to drive Kino while he is
looking underwater.
4. superstition (n.) – an irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, especially in
connection with religion
Provide two examples (direct quotations) from chapter 2 that reveal the characters’
belief in superstition.
1.
2.
Literary Devices:
1. Symbolism- What are the important symbols that emerge in chapter 2?
2. List two major motifs the reader encounters thus far:
1.__________________________________________
2 __________________________________________
Chapter 3
Writing prompt: Greed may well be defined as the “bad spirit” in all of us. How would you
illustrate this “bad spirit”? What are its characteristics? On the next page, explain how
greed can either bring someone success and/or cause his/her downfall.
Illustration:
Characteristics:
Explanation:
Chapter 3 Study Questions:
1. What are the reactions of the priest and the doctor?
2. What is meant by the following statement: “…there is no almsgiver in the world like a
poor man who is suddenly lucky” (706)?
3. What wishes do the pearl buyers have for the great pearl? How will it help to change
their lives?
4. What does Kino dream he will do with his wealth? What do these dreams tell us about
how poor Kino and his people are?
5. Explain how Juana’s shawl is a symbol. What does it represent?
Literary Devices: Theme- broad idea, message or lesson conveyed by a written text
List motifs encountered thus far:
How are these motifs significant to understanding the theme of the novel?
What do you believe is one theme in the folktale thus far? Explain your opinion.
Conflicts - What conflicts do Kino and Juana face thus far?
Chapter 4
Writing prompt: What is the importance of clothes in our culture? Does what a person wears
define his/her personality? If so, how?
Chapter 4 Study Questions:
1. In your own words, describe the bargaining method of the pearl buyers.
2. What are Kino and Juana’s expectations for the day? What do they anticipate the day
will be like?
3. What does the conversation between Kino and his brother on page 719 reveal about
their relationship?
4. What do the actions of the first dealer on page 721 indicate about the value of the
pearl?
5. What does Juana’s reaction on page 725 tell the reader about their people and their
beliefs?
Literary Devices:
Symbols – What do the following symbols represent?
The dishonest pearl buyers:
The coin referenced at the top of page 722:
Conflict – List both the internal and external conflicts that Kino faces in this chapter.
Internal:
External:
Theme – How do the consequences of Kino’s choices reflect Steinbeck’s message about the
plight of Kino’s people?
Chapter 5
Writing prompt: Are men and women throughout the world treated equally? Give some
examples to support your answer.
Chapter 5 Study Questions:
1. How does Kino react to Juana’s attempt to throw the pearl away? Is this justified?
2. Unlike their expectations, Kino and Juana’s day has been filled with destruction. What
changes have occurred in both their lives in the past twenty-four hours?
3. How does Juan Tomás protect his brother and Juana?
4. How is the description of the pearl on page 730 different from previous descriptions?
Literary Devices: Plot
When Juana “abandoned the past,” the future was determined for her and her family. One
might argue that the climax of the novel has been reached, for the ending is now inevitable.
What event in chapter 5 could be considered the climax of the novel?
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 Study Questions:
1. Why are the trackers hunting for Kino?
2. What does the dialogue between Kino and Juana on page 733 convey?
3. How is the description of the terrain on page 735 fitting with the development of the
story? How might this act as a foreshadowing?
4. How is Juana changing?
5. Why does Kino decide to get the rifle from one of the trackers?
6. What does Steinbeck mean when he writes, “they had gone through pain and come out
on the other side” (741)?
7. What has caused Kino and Juana to return to La Paz?
8. How is the description of the pearl at the end of chapter 6 different from earlier
descriptions?
Literary Devices:
Imagery – Steinbeck has used animal imagery in a variety of ways throughout the novel. How
is this imagery used in chapter 6?
Theme - Of The Pearl Steinbeck said, “If this story is a parable, perhaps everyone takes his
own meaning from it and reads his own life into it.” What meaning do you take from The
Pearl? How do you read your life into the allegory?