"The Pearl" by John Steinbeck

In John Steinbeck's The Pearl, a destitute pearl diver finds a giant pearl with whichhe hopes to buy peace and happiness for his family. Instead, he learns that the valuable pearlcan not buy happiness but only destroy his simple life. Throughout the fable, there is aconstant theme woven through the characters and setting which encompasses the struggleamong social classes to become successful. Steinbeck, a novelist known for his realisticdepictions of life, portrays this motif through …

…wealthy does not mean everything. Most importantly, he shows that thestruggle to become successful can destroy one's initial dreams. Kino finally realizes theworthlessness of the pearl after Coyotito's death and as Steinbeck writes: 'And in thesurface of the pearl he saw Coyotito laying in the cave with his head shot away. And thepearl was ugly; it was gray, like a malignant growth...And Kino drew back his arm and flungthe pearl with all his might'.