Name: Section: The Pearl by John Steinbeck Genre: Mexican folktale Setting: Colonial Mexican society Location: Coastal village, La Paz Timeframe: 19 th or 20 th Century Style: Parable - a simple, short work, usually fictitious, that relays a moral lesson often about good and evil Allegory - stories in which characters, objects and events hold fixed, symbolic meaning Vocabulary for The Pearl Standard 4.22: Determine pronunciations, meanings, alternate word choices, parts of speech, or etymologies of words using dictionaries and thesauruses. Directions: On a separate piece of paper, write the following information for each of the terms below: word, pronunciation, part of speech, definition, synonyms, antonyms, a sentence in which you use the word correctly, and any derivatives of the word Example: benign [buh NINE] (adj.) - not causing harm, of gentle disposition, beneficial Synonyms kind, benevolent, caring Antonyms - malignant, harmful The minister was loved because of his benign attitude toward all types of people. Derivatives - benignly, benignant, benignancy, benignantly, benignity 1. covey 2. indigent 3. lateen 4. bulwark 5. perceptible 6. illusion Chapters 1-3 Chapters 4-6 7. precipitated 8. lucent 9. disparagement 10. subjugation 11. prophecy 12. dissembling 1. benign 2. legerdemain 3. edifice 4. leprosy 5. waning 6. covert 7. goading 8. monolithic 9. escarpment 10. intercession 11. petulant 12. malignant
Getting to Know John Steinbeck Directions: As you watch the movie about author John Steinbeck, answer the following questions. 1. Where and when was John Steinbeck born? 2 List some of the books written by Steinbeck. 3. List three details about Steinbeck s parents and/or childhood. 1. 2. 3. 4. Who are some of the people who told stories to Steinbeck when he was younger? 5. List three details of Steinbeck s journey toward becoming a writer. 1. 2. 3. 6. Why did Steinbeck move to Mexico? 7. How did critics respond to The Pearl? 8. Why did Steinbeck write The Pearl? 9. How many times did Steinbeck marry? 10. Steinbeck is considered the last of the great. 11. What was the name of Steinbeck s dog? 12. What prize was Steinbeck awarded?
Important Characteristics of the Novel: As we read The Pearl, fill in the following chart. Protagonist: Major Conflict: Resolution of Major Conflict: Rising Action: Climax: Falling Action: Motifs: Symbols: Theme(s):
Chapter 1 Writing prompt: What factors determine the type of music you listen to? Think of one song that is important to you. What sort of memories does this song evoke? Upon listening to this song, how does it influence your mood? Chapter 1 Study Questions: 1. Contrast the different descriptions of the doctor s house and Kino s house (700-701). 2. What is the role of beggars? 3. How is Kino s race different from the doctor s? What emotions does this evoke? 4. What do you learn about the doctor s character in this chapter? How does he feel about natives?
Literary Devices: Define each of the following literary devices and use the text to provide an example of each. Metaphor: Imagery: Symbolism: Chapter 2 Writing prompt: Consider the major authority figures in your life; for example: your parents, grandparents, teachers, community leaders, perhaps a member of the church or even an older sibling. Select one of these authority figures and in one paragraph, explain why you trust or distrust him/her. Then, simply list some social authorities we succumb and/or conform to. List: Chapter 2 Study Questions: 1. Steinbeck uses animals as symbols throughout his novel. What do the dog and pig symbolize on page 702? Why do you believe this?
2. Explain how the canoe is a symbol of his [Kino s] forefathers legacy. 3. Explain how the song of The Pearl That Might Be helps to drive Kino while he is looking underwater. 4. superstition (n.) an irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, especially in connection with religion Provide two examples (direct quotations) from chapter 2 that reveal the characters belief in superstition. 1. 2. Literary Devices: 1. Symbolism- What are the important symbols that emerge in chapter 2? 2. List two major motifs the reader encounters thus far: 1. 2 Chapter 3 Writing prompt: Greed may well be defined as the bad spirit in all of us. How would you illustrate this bad spirit? What are its characteristics? On the next page, explain how greed can either bring someone success and/or cause his/her downfall. Illustration: Characteristics:
Explanation: Chapter 3 Study Questions: 1. What are the reactions of the priest and the doctor? 2. What is meant by the following statement: there is no almsgiver in the world like a poor man who is suddenly lucky (706)? 3. What wishes do the pearl buyers have for the great pearl? How will it help to change their lives? 4. What does Kino dream he will do with his wealth? What do these dreams tell us about how poor Kino and his people are? 5. Explain how Juana s shawl is a symbol. What does it represent? Literary Devices: Theme- broad idea, message or lesson conveyed by a written text List motifs encountered thus far:
How are these motifs significant to understanding the theme of the novel? What do you believe is one theme in the folktale thus far? Explain your opinion. Conflicts - What conflicts do Kino and Juana face thus far? Chapter 4 Writing prompt: What is the importance of clothes in our culture? Does what a person wears define his/her personality? If so, how? Chapter 4 Study Questions: 1. In your own words, describe the bargaining method of the pearl buyers. 2. What are Kino and Juana s expectations for the day? What do they anticipate the day will be like?
3. What does the conversation between Kino and his brother on page 719 reveal about their relationship? 4. What do the actions of the first dealer on page 721 indicate about the value of the pearl? 5. What does Juana s reaction on page 725 tell the reader about their people and their beliefs? Literary Devices: Symbols What do the following symbols represent? The dishonest pearl buyers: The coin referenced at the top of page 722: Conflict List both the internal and external conflicts that Kino faces in this chapter. Internal: External:
Theme How do the consequences of Kino s choices reflect Steinbeck s message about the plight of Kino s people? Chapter 5 Writing prompt: Are men and women throughout the world treated equally? Give some examples to support your answer. Chapter 5 Study Questions: 1. How does Kino react to Juana s attempt to throw the pearl away? Is this justified? 2. Unlike their expectations, Kino and Juana s day has been filled with destruction. What changes have occurred in both their lives in the past twenty-four hours? 3. How does Juan Tomás protect his brother and Juana?
4. How is the description of the pearl on page 730 different from previous descriptions? Literary Devices: Plot When Juana abandoned the past, the future was determined for her and her family. One might argue that the climax of the novel has been reached, for the ending is now inevitable. What event in chapter 5 could be considered the climax of the novel? Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Study Questions: 1. Why are the trackers hunting for Kino? 2. What does the dialogue between Kino and Juana on page 733 convey? 3. How is the description of the terrain on page 735 fitting with the development of the story? How might this act as a foreshadowing? 4. How is Juana changing? 5. Why does Kino decide to get the rifle from one of the trackers?
6. What does Steinbeck mean when he writes, they had gone through pain and come out on the other side (741)? 7. What has caused Kino and Juana to return to La Paz? 8. How is the description of the pearl at the end of chapter 6 different from earlier descriptions? Literary Devices: Imagery Steinbeck has used animal imagery in a variety of ways throughout the novel. How is this imagery used in chapter 6? Theme - Of The Pearl Steinbeck said, If this story is a parable, perhaps everyone takes his own meaning from it and reads his own life into it. What meaning do you take from The Pearl? How do you read your life into the allegory?