Talk:The Pearl (novella)

Could there be more information that is missing from what I'l call "the lost years" between 1947 when the book was originally written, and 1989 when the first reference is dated from the topic "References" on the Wikipedia article? I just happend to notice that most of the information referenced is recent, is it just coming from newer publications or because online work is more accessible than older works? Acmunoz14 (talk) 17:56, 18 January 2020 (UTC)

Beginning
KINO awakes to find Juana making breakfast, so decides to enjoy the beach, next to their mud home. He then hears the song of evil; when he was a child, his father taught him how to turn your surrounding noises into a song. He finds a scorpion near his son, Coyotito, and leaps for it, but the scorpion falls onto Coyotito's shoulder, rendering him under emmense pain. Kino igknowledges Juana's pleas to take Coyotito to the local doctor in town, so they began their walk into town with Kino's people ergently following. Soon they are joined by everyone in the town, for no one has ever seen anyone defy the descrimination the towns people have always had on Kino's people. When they arrive at the doctor's home, the doctor's servant, one of Kino's people, greets them at the front of the gate surrounding the doctor's abode...~ FIND OUT THE REST OF THIS ACTION, AND DECEITFILLED NOVEL BY READING THE ASTOUNDING BOOK BY JOHN STEINBECK THAT WILL HAVE YOU HAVE YOU READING UNTIL THE SHOCKING END.(middle english work and John Steinbeck's work) --Spangineer 18:52, Nov 15, 2004 (UTC)

Original Research
The "Critical Note" section lacks citations and appears to go against the policy on no original research. It does not appear to be any copyright violation, judging from Googling phrases from it. It would be great for a book review or critical discussion site, however, it does not seem to be appropriate for Wikipedia. I'm going to remove this section from the article, as would be difficult to edit to NPOV because of the opinions and assertions that are made. F  A   E  02:28, 16 March 2006 (UTC)--Kpengboy (talk) 05:41, 25 November 2008 (UTC)

DISCUSION~ Will someone paraphrase this? umm no why is this even u here? cuz dis person lazy Someone should just rewrite it. It would save a lot of people a lot of time. nobody cares this is stupid...i don't even know why i even responded ???WAHT???

Pop Culture References
The underground-popular Fleming & John song "The Pearl" is a commentary about the morals argued in this book. I am not adding that info to the main page but pop culture references seem increasingly important in Wiki articles, so I'm putting that out there and deferring to other users. --Spesek 03:25, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

Kino and Juana
It says in their 'bios' that Kino died in an accident after Coyotito's death and that Juana killed herself afterwards. I don't recall this ever being mentioned in the book. I'm not sure whether I missed something in the novel, or if this is unnecessary information.

yes in the last chapter of the book, the narrator states that Kino died while fishing for food to feed him and juana when a thunderstorm hit and he drowned. Then it states that Juana hanged herself in grief. 69.115.46.242

Where in the last chapter did it state this? I seem to have some difficulty finding it.

its not really a chapter, its the thing in the back of the book that tells you what happenes to the characters after the story ends, i foreget what it's called.

I cant seem to find it, perhaps my book is missing something.

Its only in the first three editions that were published of the book. It was edidted out in the newer versions for some reason, But i read my grandpa's original version so that could be the confusion.69.115.46.242 23:28, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Chapter 3
Why does the summary simply skip chapter three like for real? And for anyone wondering, I'm pretty sure the Kino killing himself thing above is vandalism, the user who said it was in a version of the book had previous instances of blatant vandalism. JoeyETS 02:48, 1 June 2007 (UTC)

Yep, got chapter three written. --  F  ailure.exe  00:54, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

I READ THIS BOOK A DAY AGO AN I HAVENT SEEN THE PART OF KINO ENDING UP DEAD AND JUANA COMMITING SUWICIDE WHERE DID YOU ALL GET SUCH AN INFO CAN SOMEONE PLEASE INFORM ME SO THAT I CAN REFER TO IT. THANKS IN ADVANCE —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.131.186.18 (talk) 02:53, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

My school book doesn't mention the death either =[ it would be fun saying juana ended up dead by a rope in my essay :P —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.189.248.232 (talk) 18:04, 21 October 2008 (UTC)

I've never read this and I was kind of looking for a quick summary or something. I felt like this article was kind of wierd because it mentions parts of the plot that often seem, though important somewhat random. Also it talks about characters without any sort of introduction to them. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.68.40.135 (talk) 00:00, 17 November 2011 (UTC)

Death
At the end of chapter 6 it states that Juana is carrying a blood stained shawl. Is Coyotito dead? It was kind of unclear.72.49.98.68 16:49, 11 August 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, Coyotito died by getting hit from a ricochet bullet going into the cave. he's dead 24.186.245.84 —The preceding  signed but undated. Of course he's dead, it said his head was rolling around in the cave —Preceding unsigned comment added by 205.244.36.120 (talk) 19:13, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

First edition cover
The image you have with the caption "First edition cover" is not the first edition. The true first edition was published by Viking in the U.S. The image you have is from the British edition published by Heineman in the UK. At the very least change the caption. --Smirkboy 14:35, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

Symbolism
Can someone write a sentence or two about the symbolism of the "scorpion"? 71.136.237.74 03:43, 21 September 2007 (UTC) Sure! okay.. so here it is... The scorpion symbolizes 'evil' because, it poisoned Coyotito. The scorpion brings destruction and danger to Kino's family... hmm... that's all I got. I will add once I get more info... :)

Fair use rationale for Image:JohnSteinbeck ThePearl title.jpg
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BetacommandBot (talk) 22:02, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Character?
"The Song of the Family" is under the Character section, to the best of my knowledge, the song is not a character. Can someone change this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.250.188.227 (talk) 22:56, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

The Summary For The Pearl

The Pearl, which takes place in La Paz, Mexico, begins with a description of the seemingly idyllic family life of Kino, his wife Juana and their infant son, Coyotito. Kino watches as Coyotito sleeps, but sees a scorpion crawl down the rope that holds the hanging box where Coyotito lies. Kino attempts to catch the scorpion, but Coyotito bumps the rope and the scorpion falls on him. Although Kino kills the scorpion, it still stings Coyotito. Juana and Kino, accompanied by their neighbors, go to see the local doctor, who refuses to treat Coyotito because Kino cannot pay. Kino and Juana leave the doctors and take Coyotito down near the sea, where Juana uses a seaweed poultice on Coyotito's shoulder, which is now swollen. Kino dives for oysters from his canoe, attempting to find pearls. He finds a very large oyster which, when Kino opens it, yields an immense pearl. Kino puts back his head and howls, causing the other pearl divers to look up and race toward Kino's canoe. The news that Kino has found an immense pearl travels fast through La Paz. The doctor who refused to treat Coyotito decides to visit Kino. Kino's neighbors begin to feel bitter toward him for his good fortune, but neither Kino nor Juana realize this feeling they have engendered. Juan Tomas, the brother of Kino, asks him what he will do with his money, and he envisions getting married to Juana in a church and dressing Coyotito in a yachting cap and sailor suit. He claims that he will send Coyotito to school and buy a rifle for himself. The local priest visits and tells Kino to remember to give thanks and to pray for guidance. The doctor also visits, and although Coyotito seems to be healing, the doctor insists that Coyotito still faces danger and treats him. Kino tells the doctor that he will pay him once he sells his pearl, and the doctor attempts to discern where the pearl is located (Kino has buried it in the corner of his hut). That night, a thief attempts to break into Kino's hut, but Kino drives him away. Juana tells Kino that the pearl will destroy them, but Kino insists that the pearl is their one chance and that tomorrow they will sell it. Kino's neighbors wonder what they would do if they had found the pearl, and suggest giving it as a present to the Pope, buying Masses for the souls of his family, and distributing it among the poor of La Paz. Kino goes to sell his pearl, accompanied by his neighbors, but the pearl dealer only offers a thousand pesos when Kino believes that he deserves fifty thousand. Although other dealers inspect the pearl and give similar prices, Kino refuses their offer and decides to go to the capital to sell it there. That night, Kino is attacked by more thieves, and Juana once again reminds Kino that the pearl is evil. However, Kino vows that he will not be cheated, for he is a man. Later that night, Juana attempts to take the pearl and throw it into the ocean, but Kino finds her and beats her for doing so. While outside, a group of men accost Kino and knock the pearl from his hand. Juana watches from a distance, and sees Kino approach her, limping with another man whose throat Kino has slit. Juana finds the pearl, and they decide that they must go away even if the murder was in self-defense. Kino finds that his canoe has been damaged and their house was torn up and the outside set afire. Kino and Juana stay with Juan Tomas and his wife, Apolonia, where they hide for the next day before setting out for the capital that night. Kino and Juana travel that night, and rest during the day. When Kino believes that he is being followed, the two hide and Kino sees several bighorn sheep trackers who pass by him. Kino and Juana escape into the mountains, where Juana and Coyotito hide in the cave while Kino, taking his clothes off so that no one will see his white clothing. The trackers think that they hear something when they hear Coyotito crying, but decide that it is merely a coyote pup. After a tracker shoots in the direction of the cries, Kino attacks the three trackers, killing all three of them. Kino can hear nothing but the cry of death, for he soon realizes that Coyotito is dead from that first shot. Juana and Kino return to La Paz. Kino carries a rifle stolen from the one of the trackers he killed, while Juana carries the dead Coyotito. The two approach the gulf, and Kino, who now sees the image of Coyotito with his head blown off in the pearl, throws it into the ocean.

Kino's and Juana's Death
I read this novel more than twice and i'm absolutely sure that the author didn't mention anything abouth the death of Kino and Juana. Is it really exist? I don't think so. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.60.56.249 (talk) 02:48, 30 July 2008 (UTC)

WHAT ARE ALL SETTINGS IN THE STORY

WHERE DOES ALL EVENTS IN THE STORY HAPPENED

Wow, not only are you yelling, but you are fishing for answers for your book report. Read the book... It really isn't that long. --M.

Kino and Juana do NOT die in the book. Read it again if that is not clear.

I think Wikipedia should create a "no spoilers" policy where it doesn't reveal the entire book's plot, including the ending. This does a great disservice to the author's ability to create suspense and encourage people to read the book to the end. Every literary person knows, or should know. . . you don't spill the beans! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rhndevu02 (talk • contribs) 04:01, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

Neutral point of view
The second half of the article before the pop-culture section is a pretty heavily biased interpertation of the book. Is there any good reason to keep that, or should an attempt at rewriting be undertaken? I would rewrite it myself, but I don't know the novella that well. BismuthAquatic (talk) 21:39, 30 April 2009 (UTC)

The Analysis section is not neutral. It presents one person's interpretation or opinion about the book and its intent. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.22.131.201 (talk) 02:46, 5 March 2011 (UTC)

Novel vs Novella
The Pearl is classified as a novel in this article by its main title and the link from the disambiguation page, but I believe the story is actually a novella. Could somebody please change this? --76.180.212.58 (talk) 01:23, 22 October 2009 (UTC)

Date of publication
I don't know when the book was first published, but my confidence is extremely high that the year given, 2111, is not correct. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.11.133.210 (talk) 18:47, 24 February 2012 (UTC)

Missing the entire theme
This page missed the entire theme of this, one of my favorite, books.

Kino's life was perfect and he marveled about it's perfection one morning and his child was bitten by a scorpion. Kino killed the scorpion and prayed, but he prayed for money to pay the doctor, not for his child to recover. The child recovered, and Kino got the money. The money (the pearl) destroyed everything Kino valued in this World. Kino ended up throwing the Pearl back in to the sea. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.125.82.83 (talk) 00:15, 31 March 2012 (UTC)

Legionof7 (talk) 03:19, 15 March 2016 (UTC) Besides the themes and characters, do you think this page is missing anything else? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jrlacy (talk • contribs) 15:38, 7 March 2018 (UTC)

Nobel Prize for Literature
Apparently The Pearl won the Nobel Prize for Literature but I'm not sure in which year and don't have any more details. Can anyone elaborate on this please? 132.185.160.122 (talk) 17:25, 15 August 2019 (UTC)

Good vs evil
I do not understand this theme can someone please explain this theme(good vs evil) with eight points from the novella. 2A03:2880:31FF:19:0:0:FACE:B00C (talk) 16:35, 22 October 2022 (UTC)


 * None of the “themes” seem sufficiently supported. The book in the context of Steinbeck’s approaches to morality in his other works is enough to dismiss any simple notion of good vs evil. The four themes listed here all seem ideological- perhaps coming from a school/curriculum interpretation which seeks to uphold simplistic readings which fall in line with easy and dominant ideas (the importance of family, perseverance, good and evil).
 * The novella’s complexity and multitude of conflicting interpretations is not sufficiently explored (e.g critique of rags to riches American Dream tales; anti-capitalism; arrogance and greed; the exploitation of the poor and exploitation of the earth’s natural resources).
 * These interpretations have academic research to support them, are there more citations to support the current themes as it seems quite like a personal reading? But if I added would I just be adding more personal interpretations- I’m not sure how themes are usually agreed! Violetferg27 (talk) 08:04, 3 April 2023 (UTC)