The Pearl Essay, Research Paper

Kurt Stockwell

HOW IS THE PEARL A PARABLE

The Pearl defined in the Merriam Webster Dictionary as par a ble “par- -b l n :

a simple story told to illustrate a moral truth. The Pearl is a perfect example of a parable as

is the story tells an obvious moral.

The Pearl tells a story of Kino a pearl diver in the small town of Lapaz. His family is a

poor family. There son get stung by a scorpion and when they do not have enough money to pay

for the doctor they wish for the pearl. When they find the pearl of the world they think of the

great tings they could use it for. But when everyone heard about this great discovery they become

greedy and will do anything to get there hands on the pearl. Kino s wife Juana is the only person

at this point who realises that the pearl is a bad thing. Kino s only friend at this point is his brother

Juan Thomas. Who helps Kino and his family escape the village which has tried to cheat him and

even tried to kill him. When Kino heads for the mountains he finds people chasing him. The

trackers finally catch up to Kino in the mountains and shoot his son Coyotito. This makes Kino

finally realise that all the pearl is doing is bringing more bad than good. Then at the end he throws

the pearl into the water.

I think this story is a parable because it makes you realise that you can not buy happiness. It also

tells you the old saying money does not buy everything. This book has taught me to value the

people and possessions that I already have instead of always wanting this and wanting that. This

book is an excellent book to read.