John Steinbeck Good And Evil Essay

During World War II men were expected to bring in all the finances to ensure that all family living expenses were taking care of. If the family was not wealthy they were looked down upon as less fortunate. John Steinbeck develops the character of Kino in The Pearl through the themes of good vs. evil, knowledge and ignorance and individual vs. society. However, Kino an Indian pearl diver who is less fortunate cannot afford a doctor for his son Coyotito who was stung by a scorpion. Families who were poor during World War II were not looked at as a big priority when it came to the help of medical attention. Kino faces multiple trials and tribulations within his village when he comes into discoverance of “The Pearl of the world” (Steinbeck 11). Steinbeck uses the pearl as a symbol to show that when you become wealthy the attention you seeked when you were less fortunate increases. In the novel “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck uses the theme of Ignorance and Knowledge to develop the conflict in the story. For example the Doctor wished to not help Kino when he approached him in need of help because his son Coyotito was stung by a scorpion. The Doctor Says in the novel ”Have I nothing better to do than cure insect bites for ‘little Indians’? I am a doctor, not a veterinary.” (Steinbeck 6). The Doctor proved his ignorance by saying that the child was not human that he was considered an animal because he was Indian. Catholic priest from the small village in La Paz who is seeking money to help repair the church wishes to receive a portion of money from the pearl Kino found. “It came to the priest walking in his garden, and it put a thoughtful look in his eyes and a memory of certain repairs necessary to the church.” (Steinbeck 11). The priest believes if he has done for you in the past you owe him if you become wealthy in the future. Kino is an intelligent man who knows that once he found the pearl the news would spread quickly throughout the village of La Paz. The doctor who wished not to help Kino when he was less fortunate now seeks to give Kino's son the medical attention he needed when Coyotito was first stung.”Sometimes, my friend, the scorpion sting has a curious effect. There will be apparent improvement, and then without a warning - pouf!” (Steinbeck 15). Kino knows that the only reason the Doctor wants to help him is because he had found the pearl but Kino is an warmhearted father so he would anything to make sure his child will be okay. The pearl is a symbol of of an escape for kino to help him in his situation but he knows that he will have to give up some of his prize possession to help his son Coyotito. In “The Pearl” steinbeck …show more content…
In the novel Juana and Kino have two different opinions about good and evil. Kino hears the “Song of Evil” when the scorpion is about to sting the baby, but also when the priest arrives. Kino's is confused because his whole life he was taught the priest is always a good man. When he finds the Pearl he considers it a blessing. His wife Juana on the other hand she prays to ward off evil, and bring blessing. When their baby was stung by the scorpion, she prayed for a way to pay the doctor, but when Kino found the Pearl she thought it was the source of evil. “He could hear Juana whispering the old magic again, and he could hear the evil music of the enemy.” (Steinbeck 3). At the end of the novel when Juana, and Kino trudge home Kino throws the Pearl, and they can hear “The Song of Evil” leaving. In the beginning of the story Kino always heard “The Song of the Family”, which is the “good” song. When Kino found the Pearl he thought it was “The Pearl of the World” (Steinbeck 11). He didn't hear the “good” song. In the end When Kino threw the Pearl the “Bad” song left, but he didn't hear the “Song of the Family”