“Steinbeck illustrates The Pearl’s tragic consequences when the freedom of the soul is lost, and he expresses profound sympathy to the individual or community who suffers from such an oppressive society.” (Perkins). John Steinbeck’s description of his feelings for those lacking freedom in the spirit is found in The Pearl. The tragic effects of this oppressive system make individuals suffer. The Pearl was written primarily to give a voice to those who are often denied that freedom. He details the difficult experiences Kino faces throughout the book. Kino’s misuse of the pearl has led to his oppression, and that of his community. Steinbeck shows us in The Pearl that Kino’s oppression is not escaped by Juana or the doctor, but only through his thoughts.
Steinbeck uses Juana’s emotions and thoughts to demonstrate how Kino cannot escape the oppression. Juana says that Kino’s visions have taken over his sanity. Juana had understood what he meant when he said, “I’m a man”. He was half-god and half-mad. It meant that Kino’s strength would be directed against a sea and a mountain. Juana’s woman’s heart knew that the mountains would stand and the man would break himself. The sea would surge, but the man would drown in it. Juana recognizes Kino’s manliness. Kino must fight against the forces beyond himself because he’s a man. It is in his DNA. The greed and evil have corrupted both his life and that of his family. Juana understands that Juana can’t escape the oppressive situation he is in, and that everything will be destroyed. This quote compares Kino’s strength with mountains and oceans. It means Kino won’t give up until his visions and goals for his wife are achieved, which will eventually lead to oppression. This can also be explained by saying that “Kino’s physical strength has revealed his moral weakness.” It is Kino, not Juana, who has fallen. The comparison with a snake, the traditional evil symbol, seems to be a perfect fit (Pearl). Kino’s weakness as a moral being is shown when he recognizes that the forces around him are too powerful to resist. Kino is a bad and selfish man because of the pearl. Kino will not see his own actions as a cause of harm and will be unable to understand the effects on his family. Juana understands the path Kino’s heading down, but she knows she has no choice because Kino is an adult and a man.
Steinbeck uses the growth of the Pearl to demonstrate that Kino is unable to escape oppression. Juana declares, “The sin of the pearl will destroy us.” The Pearl of the World is a pricey item, but it also comes with a high sacrifice. Originally, the Pearl was a symbol of salvation and hope. Kino wants to use the pearl in order to escape society’s status, and his visions of it were ambitious. The pearl is then used as a sign of evil throughout the world. It seems that the greed comes out when evil is present. The pearl would soon destroy his entire life. Steinbeck compares a pearl with sin by using a metaphor. The pearl could represent sin, which is inextricable in this world, as Kino was unable to escape oppression. Perkins says that “the loss of the Pearl at the End of the Story suggests his loss of Hope for the Future and a Loss in His Belief that He Can Control His Life and Destiny.” Kino finally realizes that his pearl has been slowly killing him. He’s lost hope that he will be able to marry Juana or provide an education for Coyotito. The pearl’s greed has made Kino realize what he’s done to his life, and that he can no longer control it.
The pearl evolves through the story, showing how greed and false values can change a character’s beliefs. Steinbeck shows Kino he can’t escape his oppression due to the superiority of culture. Kino says, “This physician was not from his people. This doctor belonged to a race that had for almost four hundred years beaten, starved, robbed, despised, and terrified Kino’s people, so the indigene was frightened and came humbly. As always, Kino was weak and scared and angry when he approached a member of the doctor’s race. Kino thinks about the abuse of power by the doctor race. He understands the doctor’s ways and is very careful after the dismissal. The doctor later claims he isn’t a vet, implying Kino’s people, Indians, are animals. The doctor’s fear hides Kino’s bravery and rebellious personality. Steinbeck uses the terms beaten and starved to illustrate how horribly Kino’s people were treated. Perkins adds, “Another outcome of this oppression would be the disruption in the community. This can be used to suppress rebellion within that group.” The behavior of the doctor’s servant is disruptive. He refuses, as an Indian, to speak in Kino’s native language. Power is abused by the doctor and causes disruption in the community. It also oppresses the lower class. The power of culture held by the doctor is damaging to the community. It is also affecting the behavior of people.
Steinbeck shows Kino to be under constant pressure through Juana’s thoughts, development of the Pearl, and cultural superiority. Juana recognizes that Kino, as a man, has power over her. She also realizes that Kino’s actions are slowly destroying both him and his surroundings. The story of the development of the Pearl shows how greed and a change in values can take over a human being. The doctor’s abuse of power causes disruption and harm in the community and can change a person’s opinion. Steinbeck’s novels were written to express the feelings of America’s working class, who could be suffering from similar forms of oppression. John Steinbeck claims that “A sad spirit can kill a person faster and far more quickly than a bacteria.”
