The first chapter of John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck
John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. was an American author. He won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perception." He has been called "a giant of American letters," and many of his works are con…
The Pearl
The Pearl is a novella by American author John Steinbeck, first published in 1947. It is the story of a pearl diver, Kino, and explores man's nature as well as greed, defiance of societal norms, and evil. Steinbeck's inspiration was a Mexican folk tale from La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, which h…
What happens in Chapter 1 of the Pearl by Steinbeck?
In chapter one of ''The Pearl'' by John Steinbeck, we are introduced to Kino, Juana, and Coyotito as they are faced with a terrifying encounter with a scorpion. Kino and Juana are fortunate not only to have a loving relationship, but they have been blessed with a beautiful child, named Coyotito.
What in general happens in the first chapter?
What in general happens in the first chapter? In the town of La Paz, Kino, Juana and their infant son, Coyotito, live in a modest brush house by the sea. One fine morning, a scorpion stung Coyotito.
What does Juana notice when she sees the giant pearl?
Juana turns her attention from the pearl to her son, and notices to her astonishment that in the presence of the giant pearl, Coyotito wound has become significantly better. She alerts Kino to the improvement and, overcome by the collective emotion of his son's spontaneous.
What is the significance of Kino and Juana in the Pearl?
The Pearl takes place among an impoverished Mexican-Indian community in La Paz. Although the story involves essentially only this couple, Steinbeck uses Kino and Juana as symbolic of the community in which they live. Steinbeck constructs Kino as an everyman with concerns typical of persons of all social stations.
What happened in the pearl chapter 1?
Lesson Summary Kino begins to move forward to try to save his son while Juana prays and summons ancient magic. As Kino approaches, the baby shakes the rope, knocking the scorpion onto his shoulder where it stings him. Kino kills the scorpion while Juana tries to suck the poison out of Coyotito's shoulder.
What is the main conflict in the pearl chapter 1?
In Chapter 1, baby Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion and Kino and his wife Juana decide to take him to the doctor.
What does the pearl symbolize in chapter 1?
The pearl elicits more and more greed on Kino's part, as he begins to devote all his energies and possessions to protecting it (recalling the biblical parable of the pearl of great price). It thus comes to symbolize the destructive nature of materialism.
What happened in chapter 2 of the pearl?
In chapter two of ''The Pearl'' by John Steinbeck, Kino searches for a pearl that is valuable enough to be sold so that he can afford get medical treatment for his son, Coyotito, who was stung by a scorpion.
Who is the antagonist in the pearl chapter 1?
Kino's character as a tough, resilient hardy man has been beautifully depicted. Kino's antagonist is the beautiful pearl, which breeds greed, envy, and evil amongst the people around Kino, who are jealous of his newfound wealth.
What is the first thing Juana does when she gets out of bed in chapter 1?
What is the first thing Juana does when she gets out of bed in Chapter 1? Checks on Coyotito. 8. What comes near Kino when he is watching the water on the first morning?
What are 3 symbols in the pearl?
The pearl starts off as a symbol of hope but soon turns into a symbol of evil, greed, and destruction.
Why does Kino howl in the pearl?
Why does Kino howl? Kino howls emotionally. He howls for joy because he is happy to find the pearl to give to the doctor so he can cure their son.
Was the pearl evil or honest?
But like wealth, the pearl represents all the evil in the world. It seems all the greed and evil surfaces in the presence of wealth. The scorpion is a form of foreshadowing as well as a symbol of the evil that is yet to come into Kino's life.
What happens in the pearl Chapter 3?
Chapter 3 of The Pearl by John Steinbeck sees the people of the town all wanting to get their hands on Kino's pearl. The priest tries to get a piece, the doctor tries very hard (even poisoning Kino's baby, Coyotito), and a mysterious intruder in the night almost gets it.
What happens in the pearl Chapter 4?
Protesting that he has been cheated, Kino announces a plan to sell his pearl in the capital city. His outburst raises the bid to fifteen hundred pesos, but Kino will have none of it. He fiercely pushes his way out of the crowd and starts the long walk home as Juana trails after him.
What does Kino see in the pearl in Chapter 3?
They sit at home with Kino's brother Juan and his wife Apolonia; Kino talks about what he will do once he becomes a rich man. He decides he wants to get married to his wife—officially and in the church, now that they can pay for it. He looks into the pearl and sees a vision of them at the altar, dressed all spiffy.
What disaster happens to Coyotito CH 1?
Coyotito is stung by a scorpion in Chapter 1 of The Pearl. Juana sends Kino for the doctor, but the doctor refuses to come, so Juana says they will go to him. Juana and Kino, followed by their neighbors, walk to the doctor's house.
What is the summary of the story the pearl?
It is a parable about a Mexican Indian pearl diver named Kino who finds a valuable pearl and is transformed by the evil it attracts. Kino sees the pearl as his opportunity for a better life. When the townsfolk of La Paz learn of Kino's find, he is immediately set upon by a greedy priest, a doctor, and businessmen.
Why does Kino howl in the pearl?
Why does Kino howl? Kino howls emotionally. He howls for joy because he is happy to find the pearl to give to the doctor so he can cure their son.
What are the major themes of the pearl?
The PearlBy Theme.Community.Greed.Evil.Primitivity.
What is the theme of the scorpion sting?
From Coyotito ’s shoulder, Kino takes the scorpion and squashes it angrily. Juana, meanwhile, tries to suck the poison out of Coyotito’s shoulder. Kino stands by, feeling helpless.
Why is Juana's request considered wonderful?
That her request is considered wonderful, because rarely fulfilled, reveals just how marginalized the brush-house community is from the city. It also illustrates Juana's remarkable dedication to her family.
What is the background of Juana and Kino?
Juana and Kino begin what appears to be their daily morning routine. Nature and Kino’s ancestors are introduced as significant background characters. Active Themes. Kino watches a crowd of industrious ants and coaxes a shy dog that has wandered over to their hut, as Juana makes the cakes and sings to Coyotito.
What is the beggar community in Kino and Juana?
The beggars—a new kind of community—give the reader an outside perspective on Kino and Juana. That the beggars see Kino and Juana as poor truly highlights just how poor and powerless they must be.
Why does Kino hesitate at the doctor's gate?
At the doctor ’s gate, Kino hesitates, recalling that the doctor’s people had historically oppressed his own people. Finally, still enraged by the recollection, he knocks the iron ring against the gate and reports Coyotito ’s sting to the servant who opens it, speaking in the old language because the servant is of his race. The servant does not reply in the old language, and heads inside to call on the doctor.
What does Kino see when he wakes up?
Kino awakes in the early morning and looks around him to see his son still asleep in the hanging box , and his wife lying next to him with her eyes open, as though she’d been watching him as he slept.
What does the servant ask the Doctor about Kino?
The Doctor asks if Kino has any money, so the servant returns to the gate and asks how Kino planned to pay. When Kino pulls out eight ugly, flat pearls, the servant reports that the doctor had to rush out and would not be able to see them.
Who is Kino's child in The Pearl?
Kino and Juana are fortunate not only to have a loving relationship, but they have been blessed with a beautiful child, named Coyotito. During chapter one of The Pearl, John Steinbeck portrays the picture of a young family who is content with very little until a scorpion threatens their baby. In this lesson, we will learn more about chapter one of The Pearl.
What is the scorpion in Coyotito's box?
A scorpion, which is a deadly Arachnida with a poisonous stinging tail is climbing down the rope towards Coyotito. Juana tries to protect Coyotito by muttering Hail Mary's and summoning ancient magic. Kino moves towards it quietly. Just as Kino moves towards it, the baby shakes the rope, causing the scorpion to fall on his shoulder. Kino retrieves the scorpion and destroys it, but it is too late. Coyotito has been stung.
Where does the Pearl take place?
Kino strikes the gate with his fist, splitting his knuckles. The Pearl takes place among an impoverished Mexican-Indian community in La Paz. Although the story involves essentially only this couple, Steinbeck uses Kino and Juana as symbolic of the community in which they live.
What is the significance of the scorpion in The Pearl?
The scorpion is a symbol of the furtive dangers that threaten Kino and his family, able to strike furtively at any moment. It is therefore analogous to the other enemies that will threaten Kino and Juana: the scorpion secretly enters the house and strikes at them indirectly, instead of presenting a direct and open challenge to them.
What happens when Kino smashes his fist on the doctor's gate?
This event shows that Kino reverts to violence and anger when confronted with adversity , yet when he does so he hurts only himself.
What is the significance of Kino and Juana?
Although Kino and Juana are representative of the larger community in which they live, this community itself becomes significant in terms of the development of the story. This village takes on a character of its own; this is shown in particular when Juana and Kino visit the doctor and their neighbors follow in a near procession. These nameless villagers serve as a form of chorus on the action of the story, commenting on the developments and judging the decisions and events that occur to Kino. The idea of community is also significant in terms of the various songs that Kino remembers. These songs are entirely symbolic, meant to place Kino in the larger, less personal context as a member of a community with a sense of heritage and to reinforce his status as an everyman. The two songs that Kino remembers during this chapter, the Song of the Family and the Song of Evil, also place the story in a context with diametric opposites; the story is largely a parable with defined parameters of good and evil.
Why does Kino's family face a critical situation?
The critical situation that Kino's family faces is significant to show the great importance of the fortune that Kino will receive, for it provides not only the possibility of material goods but may buy the life of his child. Kino's encounter with the doctor sharply illustrates this, as the doctor essentially allows Coyotito to die because Kino cannot pay for treatment.
What does Kino believe about his family?
As Kino watches his family, he believes that this is the "whole," the entirety of everything he really needs. This is significant, for this early contentment contrasts with the later panic that Kino and Juana will feel once they receive hope for a better future.
What are the two songs that Kino remembers during this chapter?
The two songs that Kino remembers during this chapter, the Song of the Family and the Song of Evil, also place the story in a context with diametric opposites; the story is largely a parable with defined parameters of good and evil.
What are the chapters in The Pearl?
The Pearl Chapters 1-2 Summary. chapters. 1-2. 3-4. 5-6. The first chapter of John Steinbeck's The Pearl introduces a rural indigenous Mexican family of three, Kino a young father, his wife Juana, and their baby Coyotito. As the novel opens, Kino is very much absorbed in what he calls the "song of the family," the day-to-day goings on ...
What does Juana discover when he opens the shell?
When he opens the shell, and digs through the muscle, he discovers a perfectly shaped and colored pearl that is the size of a sea-gull's egg.
What does Juana notice about Coyotito wound?
Juana turns her attention from the pearl to her son, and notices to her astonishment that in the presence of the giant pearl, Coyotito wound has become significantly better. She alerts Kino to the improvement and, overcome by the collective emotion of his son's spontaneous.
What does Kino tell Juana?
Kino tells Juana that the doctor "won't come", and so she decides that they should take the baby to him.
What chapter does the doctor reject the couple?
Clearly the doctor was uninterested both in their hard won offerings, and the life of their child. In Chapter two, rejected by the doctor, the couple makes their way to the shore with their ailing child in hopes that they might find a pearl impressive enough that the doctor will accept it as payment for his services.
What did Coyotito do to the baby?
Innocently, Coyotito laughs and claps his hands, shaking the hanging box and causing the scorpion to fall on to him, at which point the startled creature stings the infant on the shoulder as his father fruitlessly rushes forward to intervene.
What happens when Kino looks into the pearl?
When Kino looks into the pearl, he sees not hopeful dreams but devastating realities—and yet he can't give up the dreams. Active Themes.
What does Kino do with the Pearl?
Kino puts the pearl back and the music of evil interweaves again with the music of the pearl.
What do Kino and Juana seek to cooperate with?
Kino and Juana seek to cooperate with nature to facilitate their invisibility. Coyotes and owls make their night noises. Evil lurks about. Kino and Juana walk all night, and Kino hears the song of the pearl and the song of the family.
What does Kino instruct Juana to not touch?
Kino instructs Juana not to touch the tree that bleeds, nor the tree that blinds, and his wife nods knowingly. Kino demonstrates to Juana his intimate familiarity with the surrounding nature. She, too, is familiar, but assumes a subservient position in allowing him to teach her. Active Themes.
What does Kino propose to Juana?
Kino is overwhelmed with despair. Finally Kino proposes that they go into the mountains to try to lose the trackers. They do so in a “panic flight.” Kino seeks elevation, like all pursued animals.
What does Kino hope the wind will erase?
The wind, Kino hopes, will erase their tracks. Kino and Juana set out in the direction of the statue of the Virgin, as though they are embarking on a religious pilgrimage, when really they are escaping after an irreligious crime of killing (even if in self-defense). Active Themes.
Where does Kino tell Juana to go?
Kino tells Juana to go north to Loreto or Santa Rosia while he leads the trackers into the mountain, and that he will join her and Coyotito if he is able to escape. Juana refuses to leave his side. They move on, no longer in a “panic flight.”
