LAQ #1 "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck

GENERAL:
1) The story "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck is about a poor fisherman who's son is bitten my a poisonous scorpion. In the search to find a pearl to pay for a doctor he finds a magnificent pearl, greater than any other pearl. Kino hopes that the pearl with solve all his problems an give him great riches for his wife Juana and son Coyotito. Instead of happiness that they expect from the pearl they realize that it brings a great evil to their lives that they do not want.
2) The theme of "The Pearl" is to be grateful for what you have and not to let things that you think are great control what you know is right.
3) I think the tone of the book is calm and informative.
Ex 1: " The scorpion moved delicately down the rope toward the box. Under her breath Juana repeated an ancient magic to guard against such evil, and on top of that she muttered a Hail Mary between clenched teeth. "
Ex 2: " Only his eyes searched the darkness, and in the pale light of the moon that crept through the holes in the brush house Kino saw Juana arise silently from beside him. "
Ex 3: " He stood up then, silently; and crouched low, he threaded his way through the brush toward the road."
4)
-Imagery: The author uses this to describe the scorpions presence in the hut. "It stopped, and its tail rose up over its back in little jerks and the curved thorn on the tail's end glistened."(pg.5)
-Symbolism: This technique is used to show that the pearl was a symbol of evil brought to them. "Let us throw it back into the sea. It has brought evil. Kino, my husband, it will destroy us." (pg. 38)
-Setting: The setting at the end of the story helped me understand how harsh and dangerous the mountains were to climb.
"She looked up at Kino when he came back; she saw him examine her ankles, cut and scratched from the stones and brush, and she covered them quickly." (pg. 77)
-Suspense: The story shows a lot of suspense throughout the story but mostly at the end when they are followed by trackers looking for the pearl. "They were the trackers, they could follow the trail of bighorn sheep in the stone mountains. They were as sensitive as hounds." (pg. 73)
-Tragedy: The author uses this to show how much evil was brought to them by the pearl and how it impacted their lives in a horrible way. "The shawl was crusted with dried blood, and the bundle swayed a little as she walked." (pg. 88)
-Conflict: One of many conflicts in the story came when the trackers had caught up to them as they were on the mountain. "Far down the slope he could see the two trackers; they were little more than dots or scurrying ants and behind them a larger ant. Juana had turned to look at him and she saw his back stiffen." (pg. 80)
-Syntax: The authors syntax shows how Kino and his people refer to their culture and understanding it. "In his mind a new song ha come, the Song of Evil, the music of the enemy, and any foe of the family, a savage, secret,dangerous melody, and underneath, the Song of the Family cried plaintively." (pg.5)
-Characterization: The author uses characterization to show how Kino had changed to evil after finding the pearl. "It will destroy us all," Juana cried. "Even our son."
"Hush," said Kino. "Do not speak any more. " (pg. 39)
-Mood: The mood changes throughout the story and through some parts after seeing what the pearl brought to them they found it was scary and evil. "This thing is evil," she cried harshly. "This pearl is like a sin! It will destroy us," and her voice rose shrilly." (pg. 38)
-Foreshadowing: The author uses this to give us clues to what will happen next after they try to escape from the village and keep up thinking if they will get caught by trackers. "He was uneasy and nervous; he glanced over his shoulder; he lifted the big knife and felt its edge." (pg. 72)
CHARACTERIZATION:
1) One example of direct characterization is when the scorpion is in the box both Juana and Kino know the danger their baby is in.
Another example of direct characterization is when Kino finds the pearl. Everyone knows the riches that it will bring.
An example of indirect characterization is when Kino goes to sell the pearl the buyers don't show that they are interested in the pearl because they feel it is fake when they really know its value.
Another example of indirect characterization is when Kino and Juana and Coyotito are hiding in the cave and they are just waiting to see what will happen and if the trackers will end up finding them.
2) The author's syntax does change throughout the story when he talks about Kino's thoughts on the pearl and Juana's thoughts about the pearl. He does this by showing how strong Kino feels about the pearl and his hopes of the riches and positive elements it could bring to their lives. Juana however feels that the pearl is evil and will only destroy them and the author shows Juana always wanting to get rid of the pearl.
3) The protagonist of the story is partially a static character but also a dynamic character. Throughout the story his thoughts about the pearl stay the same to where he believes it is going to be a good change in their lives. Although, he changes right at the end and realizes that the pearl only brought bad and evil to their lives and realizes that he doesn't want the pearl. This shows that Kino is a round character and his thoughts and feelings are expressed throughout the story.
4) After reading the book I did feel like I came away knowing the main characters, Kino and Juana and I felt like I was with them throughout their journey with the pearl. ("And Kino heard the music of the pearl, distorted and insane. Kino's hand shook a little, and he turned slowly to Juana and held the pearl out to her she stood beside him, still holding her dead bundle over her shoulder." pg. 89) In the last part of the story I felt like I understood how much pain the pearl truly bought them.