The Pearl

The Pearl

Selfishness, greed, discrimination, prejudice, and classism these are all themes that could potentially fit under The Pearl but today I am talking about and explaining greed. In the beginning of the book the author explains that Kino is poor but happy. Near the end of the book he ironically is rich and miserable.

Kino and his wife Juana live in a brush house on the shoreline of the gulf.  They seem to be living the average life until their first and only child Coyotito. got stung by a scorpion. To get help for his child he goes out in search of a pearl which ends successful. Thankfully, his son recovered of naturally.  Soon after he soon is the talk of the town. Everyone around soon becomes jealous and wants his precious pearl.

Kino, overcome with greed becomes overprotective and soon murders a would-be attacker. He and his family fled the city and had to avoid a group of trackers. Kino who is completely transformed by the pearl lures the trackers into a trap.

I really cannot think of a book with this type of plot line but I remember a T.V. show called Body of Proof. In it, a generous man who wins the lottery gets driven mad with greed and gets murdered. 

In the end, Kino’s greed deprives him of a home, child, boat, and a happy life. Greed changes no matter who it is or what it is.