Symbolism in 'The Pearl'

                         Introduction


  In John Steinbeck's 'The Pearl', rich symbolism is used to convey the message of the parable being told. Symbolism is a useful tool in storytelling because it helps the author add a deeper meaning to the story. In 'The Pearl', Steinbeck enriches every aspect of the story. with symbolism from the setting, to characters and the plot itself. The different symbols interact with one another throughout the story, which ultimately affects the outcome of the novel. The first and most important symbol is the massive pearl that Kino finds. The Pearl is very rich with symbolic meaning which changes through the story. In 'The Pearl', author uses symbolism to deliver his thoughts about fate, greed, hope and evil. He review the symbolic scorpion, canoe, and pearl in the parable.

                       The Pearl

    The Pearl is a complicated symbol. It highlights different themes and gathers new meaning as the plot progresses. When Kino first opens the oyster in which it lies, the pearl seems to signify that God is looking favorably on Kino and Juana. It soon becomes clear, however, that finding the pearl is not good fortune at all. Rather, it surfaces the greedy and evil impulses of everyone that comes into contact with it and this symbolizes the materialism and selfishness of man's desires. It represents, too, the arbitrariness of value and the capacity of an economic system to prevent those who are powerless from rising above their present state. Created by an accident with a grain of sand, the pearl is assigned a price - the lowest price possible - by conspiring pearl dealers. Kino is cheated in this system because he is not powerful enough to see through the scandal and fight it.

                      Scorpion


 Kino, Juana and Coyotito live a peaceful existence until one day, a scorpion changes everything. A scorpion is an arachnid with a venomous stringer at the tip of its tail. Some scorpions have fatal stings are particularly dangerous to children, the elderly, and those with other illness. Coyotito's parents understand the inherent danger of a scorpion, but to Coyotito, it seems like a play thing. When Coyotito sees the scorpion, he reaches for it."... laughing Coyotito shook the rope and the scorpion fell". This unexpected evil thing came after the young innocent Coyotito in much the same way that the evil of the pearl came to Coyotito's father. The message is don't mess with things you know nothing about. The scorpion also illustrates how unexpected events may come into your life and change everything. 

                        Canoe


Before Kino finds the pearl, his canoe is "...the one thing of value he owned the world". More than just a canoe, the canoe is a gift passed down from its grandfather and his father that provides a guarantee for Kino to feed his family. When the canoe is vandalized, Kino is filled with rage. "The killing of man was not so evil as the killing of a boat. For a boat does not have sons, and boat cannot protect itself and a wounded boat does not heal." The canoe's symbolism goes beyond its ability to provide sustenance and even beyond the link to Kino's heritage. When the boat is destroyed by the greed that the pearl has caused, it indicates the break between Kino's past and the future he has frozen by refusing to give up evil objects.

                            Rifle


The rifle symbolizes a deep change in Kino's character. At first, Kino seeks to buy medicine for his sick son, Coyotito, with the money that would come from sale of the pearl. However, his wealth sparks his greed, and he seeks to destroy those who would steal from his rather than protect his son. The rifle can be seen as a passion for wealth and a change in the power structure where the Indian people would no longer be exploited by the people of Spanish descent.

                      Juana's Shawl 


Juana wears a blue shawl throughout the novella. More than just clothing, the shawl functions as a symbol of Juana's femininity, which seeks to nurture her family and to provide them with literal and symbolic shelter. The shawl's blue color draws in additional symbolic meanings, as it is closely associated with the Virgin Mary.Blue is the color that rarely appears in nature, and the early processes for producing the blue eyes were difficult, dangerous,  and expensive.  Because of this,  blue became associated with divinity.  In the tradition of Christian art,  the Virgin Mary is usually depicted wearing a blue shawl.

                       The Doctor


A small -time colonial who dreams of returning to bourgeois European lifestyle.  The doctor initially refuses to treat Coyotito but changes his mind after learning that Kino has found a great pearl.  He represents the arrogance,  condenscension,  and greed at the heart of colonial society.

                     The Song of Evil


The song of evil is a sinister melody that recurs throughout the story.  The song of evil comes when anything threatens Kino's family.  The song of evil represents Kino's internal struggle of whether to keep the pearl, destroy it,  or try his luck selling it in La Paz. 

                     The Song of Family


The Song of Family is the melody that Kino hears often when he is with his family,  and in their routines.  It's the music of their life together and reflects their peaceful interaction with one another. Kino view ot as a strength and inspiration.  It represents safety,  wholeness,  and warmth. It is the very essence of life to him. 

                    The Priest


The Priestplays an active colonizing role in La Paz by spreading the Christian faith of the Europeans to the natives of the land.  While Kino and Juana are persuaded by his benevolence -they follow his advice and repeat his sermons and prayers he may not be as virtuous as they assume. It seems at times,  as when he reminds Kino and Juana to thank God for their discovery,  that he, too, is only interested in the wealth that their pearl promises. 

                    Coyotito


One of the main things Coyotito symbolizes is innocence.  Coyotito isn't the one with the pearl, but he still pays the price of  Kino's foolishness. He shakes the box and reaches for the scorpion because he doesn't know it can hurt him. He is put into this dark death ridden situation even though he is just an innocent baby. He was the centre of Kino and Juana's life until the pearl, an innocent little infant from the beginning to the end. 

                    Conclusion


The story is full of symbolism of the talismanic, allegorical, and ironic kind. The Pearl itself is a symbol of escape for the poor man, but it is also symbolizes the effects of greed on man. Wore than that, Steinbeck sets up the pearl to embody the whole of European conquest of  the Americans. 














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