Transcript The Pearl by J. Steinbeck

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Based on the title of the book, what
foreshadowing can we do about the
themes (concepts) the book will talk
about?
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John Steinbeck
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Background
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Born in 1902
American novelist,
story writer,
playwright, and
essayist
Attended Stanford
1940 The Grapes of
Wrath was Awarded
the Pulitzer Prize
Won Nobel Prize in
1962
Died in 1968
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John Steinbeck
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Focus of Works
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Lives of the poor and
downtrodden
Specifically, the lives
of migrant workers
Emphasis of writing
often centered around
manhood and male
relationships
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John Steinbeck
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Most Famous Works
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Grapes of Wrath
Of Mice and Men
The Pearl
Setting of the Story
La Paz, Mexico - a coastal town marked by economic, social,
and racial divisions resulting from colonial domination of the
local native population.
Beginning of the 20th century.
http://www.mexadventure.com/graphics/La-Paz-Map.gif
http://www.enotes.com/pearl-qn/setting
http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/
Story Outline
Main
characters: Kino, Juana, and Coyotito
Kino, a pearl diver, lives a simple life in a village
Family belongs to the lower-class in society
Coyotito is stung by a scorpion
Kino seeks doctor’s help but is refused due to
poverty
Kino finds a big pearl - symbol of hope,
promise, and wealth
Greed contaminates and threatens his simple
way of life
Story ends with…
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The Pearl
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The Lessons of the
Parable
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Explores themes of
how greed and a lust
for material objects
can negatively
influence pious
cultures and people
The story is a warning
to restless dreamers
looking an easy way
to solve their
problems.
Themes
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The struggle for survival
Oppression and social class (especially in
reference to colonialism)
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Corruption by material wealth
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Literary Focus
 Themes and Conflicts
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Man’s Greedy Nature
Dangers and Evils of
Material Lust
Wealth and Status
Fate
Individual Choice
Arrogance and
Oppression
Knowledge and
Ignorance
Pre-Reading Discussion
1.
2.
3.
How might wealth and greed affect the
behavior of human beings?
What do you think might be the positive
or negative effects of colonialism?
Based on your own experiences and
literature that you have read, do you
think the course of people’s lives is the
result of fate or human action?
Symbolism
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Symbolism- The use of symbols,
objects, or things to represent an idea
or quality
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Examples:
Rainbow=God’s covenant
Dove=peace, Holy Spirit
Cross=Salvation
Symbolism
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Music in The Pearl
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References to songs, music, and sounds that
represent more than their literal meaning
Allegory
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al·le·go·ry ˈaləˌɡôrē/
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a story, poem, or picture that can be
interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning,
typically a moral or political one.
Ex:
One example of an allegory is the monologue
from Shakespeare in “As You Like It.”
 “All the world's a stage,And all the men and women
merely players;they have their exits and their
entrances;And one man in his time plays many
parts,” This is symbolic of the fact that people are
putting on a show and that they play many roles over
the course of their lives.