The Odyssey And The Pearl: Loyalty Essay, Research Paper

The Odyssey and The Pearl: Loyalty

Loyalty to another person or to a cause may be an admirable trait, but it

can lead to either positive or negative consequences. In Homer’s epic The

Odyssey and John Steinbeck’s novel The Pearl there are characters that show

great examples of this trait. Penelope in The Odyssey and Juana in The Pearl

are the most obvious, although there are many. Penelope stayed loyal to

Odysseus while he was on his twenty-year journey and Juana stayed by her husband

through his time of distress.

Penelope stayed loyal to Odysseus while he was on his twenty-year journey.

To ward off suitors that were beckoning for her hand, she made them a promise

that as soon as she finished weaving a gift for her father, she would take one

of their hands in marriage. Nightly, unbeknownst to the suitors, she would

unravel her work, so that she could remain faithful to Odysseus. Also, Penelope

promised her hand to the suitor who could meet a test. Penelope’s test was to

string Odysseus’ bow and then shoot an arrow through the eye of twelve ax

handles. Penelope knew that only Odysseus could accomplish this task. By doing

this, she avoided having to marry one of the suitors. Staying loyal to Odysseus

brought about positive consequences to Penelope. She was reunited with her

beloved husband Odysseus.

Kino’s wife Juana stayed by her husband through his time of distress.

Although it was her belief that the pearl was an omen of evil, she loyally

stayed at her husband’s side. Juana remained loyal to Kino even after he had

savagely beaten her. She knew that she had brought it upon herself and it was

her place to accept the beating. Also, Juana vowed not to leave her husband’s

side when he decided to flee from the town after murdering one of the

townspeople. She made the treacherous journey with her husband across a desert

trying to outrun the men that pursued them. Negative consequences were the

outcome of Juana’s loyalty to Kino. Her loyalty caused her to lose all that was

common and dear to her, including her only child.

Loyalty to another person or to a cause may be an admirable trait, but it

can lead to either positive or negative consequences. Penelope stayed loyal to

Odysseus while he was on his twenty-year journey and Juana stayed by her husband

through his time of distress. Penelope refused to remarry while Odysseus was on

his long absence, and Juana never left Kino’s side. Loyalty is a trait found in

most humans, and if used in moderation can have very positive consequences.