The PearlThe Pearl

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Vocabulary – Chapter 3Vocabulary – Chapter 3

1) Semblance – false or deceptive 1) Semblance – false or deceptive appearanceappearance

2) Precipitated – brought on or caused, 2) Precipitated – brought on or caused,

usually suddenlyusually suddenly

3) Lucent – clear & bright; crystal3) Lucent – clear & bright; crystal

4) Benediction – blessing or grace4) Benediction – blessing or grace

5) Subjugation –servitude; defeat; 5) Subjugation –servitude; defeat; enslavementenslavement

Vocabulary – Chapter 3Vocabulary – Chapter 3

6) Dissembling – deceiving; disguising 6) Dissembling – deceiving; disguising one’s one’s

true feelings or aimstrue feelings or aims

7) Clamored – made a loud noise; 7) Clamored – made a loud noise;

roared or shoutedroared or shouted

8) Furtive – stealthy, sly or sneaky8) Furtive – stealthy, sly or sneaky

9) Consecrated – blessed or holy9) Consecrated – blessed or holy

10) Cozened – deceived; tricked10) Cozened – deceived; tricked

The PearlThe Pearl - Chapter 3 - Chapter 3• In the opening, to what is the town In the opening, to what is the town

compared? Why do you suppose the compared? Why do you suppose the author makes this comparison?author makes this comparison?

• He compares the town to a “colonial animal.” He compares the town to a “colonial animal.” (page 21) (page 21)

• The comparison emphasizes not only the The comparison emphasizes not only the relationship of the part to the whole, but also relationship of the part to the whole, but also the individuality of each town. Each person is the individuality of each town. Each person is a part of the larger whole, and each a part of the larger whole, and each contributes to the welfare of the whole. The contributes to the welfare of the whole. The village became a town, just as one animal village became a town, just as one animal eventually becomes a community of eventually becomes a community of cooperative animals.cooperative animals.

• Remember in Chapter 1 that Kino felt safe Remember in Chapter 1 that Kino felt safe and secure because he felt a part of “the and secure because he felt a part of “the Whole.”Whole.”

How does the news of the How does the news of the pearl affect the priest?pearl affect the priest?

• The priest thinks of repairs to the The priest thinks of repairs to the church that the pearl might help pay church that the pearl might help pay for.for.

How does the news of the pearl How does the news of the pearl affect the shopkeepers?affect the shopkeepers?

• The shopkeepers think about the The shopkeepers think about the clothes they might sell to Kino.clothes they might sell to Kino.

How does the news of the pearl How does the news of the pearl affect the doctor?affect the doctor?

• The doctor is now quite willing to The doctor is now quite willing to treat the baby, and we can be sure treat the baby, and we can be sure he will charge a high fee for his he will charge a high fee for his services.services.

How does the news of the pearl How does the news of the pearl affect the beggars?affect the beggars?

• The beggars think of Kino’s hoped-for The beggars think of Kino’s hoped-for generosity.generosity.

IronyIrony

• The priest’s irony is that he expects The priest’s irony is that he expects Kino’s kindness, but does not even Kino’s kindness, but does not even know if Coyotito has been baptized know if Coyotito has been baptized by the church.by the church.

• The doctor, who previously refused The doctor, who previously refused to even see the baby, now claims to even see the baby, now claims that he is treating Coyotito for the that he is treating Coyotito for the scorpion sting.scorpion sting.

In what sense does Kino In what sense does Kino become “every man’s become “every man’s enemy”?enemy”?

• Finding the pearl arouses everyone’s Finding the pearl arouses everyone’s greed and envy. If people would only greed and envy. If people would only possess the pearl, they themselves possess the pearl, they themselves could have everything, but because could have everything, but because Kino has the pearl, he stands in their Kino has the pearl, he stands in their way.way.

How does Steinbeck compare How does Steinbeck compare the news of the pearl to the the news of the pearl to the poisonous sting of the poisonous sting of the scorpion?scorpion?

• Steinbeck points out that a scorpion’s Steinbeck points out that a scorpion’s poison makes the person bitten ill, just as poison makes the person bitten ill, just as “the dreams, speculation, the schemes, “the dreams, speculation, the schemes, the plans, the futures, the wishes, the the plans, the futures, the wishes, the deeds, the lusts, the hungers of everyone” deeds, the lusts, the hungers of everyone” are spreading throughout the town and are spreading throughout the town and making the inhabitants sick. (pg. 23)making the inhabitants sick. (pg. 23)

What literary term does What literary term does Steinbeck employ on pg. 23 to Steinbeck employ on pg. 23 to emphasize what the emphasize what the townspeople’s desire for the townspeople’s desire for the pearl was?pearl was?

• He uses similes: “…like hunger in the He uses similes: “…like hunger in the smell of food, or like loneliness when smell of food, or like loneliness when love is withheld.”love is withheld.”

What does Kino say he will What does Kino say he will do once the pearl is sold?do once the pearl is sold?

1)1) Get married in the churchGet married in the church

2)2) Buy clothes and a rifleBuy clothes and a rifle

3)3) Educate his sonEducate his son

Kino hears “the music of evil” Kino hears “the music of evil” faintly. (pg. 27) Who do you faintly. (pg. 27) Who do you think brings it in?think brings it in?

• The priest enters; Kino, apparently, The priest enters; Kino, apparently, becomes uneasy and suspicious of becomes uneasy and suspicious of him.him.

As the doctor approaches, As the doctor approaches, why is Kino feeling rage?why is Kino feeling rage?

• He knows that the doctor has come He knows that the doctor has come only because the greedy man has only because the greedy man has heard the news about the pearl. Kino heard the news about the pearl. Kino hates the doctor for the way he acts hates the doctor for the way he acts and also because he represents the and also because he represents the evils of the entire system.evils of the entire system.

How does Kino feel trapped How does Kino feel trapped by his own ignorance?by his own ignorance?

• Kino does not trust what the doctor Kino does not trust what the doctor says, but because of his own says, but because of his own ignorance, especially his inability to ignorance, especially his inability to read, he cannot be certain that the read, he cannot be certain that the doctor’s information is not true.doctor’s information is not true.

What do you guess the doctor What do you guess the doctor gives Coyotito?gives Coyotito?

• The doctor may have given the child The doctor may have given the child something to make him sick.something to make him sick.

How does the doctor find out How does the doctor find out where Kino has hidden the where Kino has hidden the pearl?pearl?

• He mentions that the pearl may be He mentions that the pearl may be stolen and carefully watches where stolen and carefully watches where Kino’s eyes dart.Kino’s eyes dart.

After the intruder is scared off, After the intruder is scared off, what does Juana say about the what does Juana say about the pearl?pearl?

• She says that the pearl is evil and will destroy She says that the pearl is evil and will destroy them. She wants Kino to throw it away; she them. She wants Kino to throw it away; she recognizes the great envy and greed the recognizes the great envy and greed the pearl has aroused. They had been happy and pearl has aroused. They had been happy and their life untroubled but no longer. Possessing their life untroubled but no longer. Possessing the pearl has become a burden.the pearl has become a burden.

Why can Kino not do as Juana Why can Kino not do as Juana wants?wants?

• He sees the pearl as their only He sees the pearl as their only chance for a better future.chance for a better future.