The Pearl: Essay Guidelines

TASK: Now that we have finished reading “The Pearl,” it is time to write our essays. This essay will consist of 11 paragraphs. To help you complete this assignment, you will answer each of the 11 questions below. Remember that for each question, you have to write 1 paragraph (5+ sentences). Be sure to use details from the book, and go over your paragraphs when you are finished writing.

PARAGRAPH #1: Introduce “The Pearl.” Who is the author? When was it written? What is on the cover of the book?

PARAGRAPH #2: What is “The Pearl” about? What is the plot? (Use details from the book)

PARAGRAPH #3: Who are the main characters in the story? Be descriptive and use details from the story.

PARAGRAPH #4: What is the most important event that takes place in “The Pearl?” (Use details)

PARAGRAPH #5: Who is your favorite character from the story? Why? Describe that character.

PARAGRAPH #6: What would you have done if you were in Kino’s shoes? Would you have sold the pearl to the pearl buyers, or would you have taken it to the capital instead?

PARAGRAPH #7: What is the most important theme in the story? Why?

Family

Good vs. Evil

Greed

PARAGRAPH #8: Should Kino have thrown away the pearl after he was attacked the first time?

PARAGRAPH #9: Is it Kino’s fault that Coyotito was killed? If not, who is to blame?

PARAGRAPH #10: If you had to choose between Money ($) and Family, what would you choose?

PARAGRAPH #11: What do you think will happen to Juana and Kino after the story ends?

The Pearl: Chapter 6

1)   After resting under a covert, how did Kino respond to Juana’s comment that “perhaps the dealers were right and the pearl has no value?”

2)   What foreboding images did Kino see as he stared into the pearl to find his vision?

3)   What interrupted Kino and Juana’s rest in the shade?

4)   In what way was the wind in Kino’s favor as they traveled?

5)   After refreshing themselves with water, what caused Kino’s body to go rigid?

6)   How did Kino conceal their tracks once the wind stopped?

7)   At this point in the novel, the music of the pearl was now interwoven with what kind of music?

8)   How did Kino mask his white clothing from the moonlight?

9)   How did the guarding tracker react to the sound?

10)   Where did Kino and Juana hide from the trackers?

11)   What were two possible sources of the cries from the mountains?

12)   What item did Kino take from the guarding tracker?

13)   What did Kino do after the tracker shot his rifle?

14)   What halted Kino’s attack on the tracker with a rifle?

15)   What did Kino and Juana do after reaching their home?

16)   Which tracker did Kino plan to kill first, and why?

17)   As the trackers slept by the pool, what did Kino decide to do?

Extended Response Questions:

18)   At what moment do you think Kino realized that the pearl was destroying his life?

19)   Steinbeck uses powerful details to describe Kino's attack on the three trackers. Make of list of these images.

20)   Describe what the pearl looked like as Kino and Juana held it for the last time. Consider why the author chose to give it such a description.

21)   Predict how the lives of Kino and Juana will go on. Consider if they will have another child and whether they will find happiness.

The Pearl: Chapter 5

1) What happened to Kino's house?

2) As Kino retreated towards his brush house, what happened?

3) How did Kino stop Juana's defiant actions?

4) What ruse did Juan use to mingle among his neighbors, and thus suppress any questions about Kino's whereabouts?

5) Who discovered both the loose pearl and the murdered man?

6) Where did Kino and his family seek shelter?

7) How did Kino's brother, Juan Tomas, help divert suspicions among the villagers?

8) What crime occurred during Kino's assault?

9) What did Juana try to do, hours after Kino was attacked the first time?

10) In bidding farewell to Kino and Juana, what advice did Juan Tomas give his younger brother?

11) Why did Kino and Juana's attempt to flee the village fail?

The Pearl: Chapter 4

1) In what town did the pearl buyers live?

2) What foreshadowing music did Kino hear in his ears as the pearl buyer made his first offer?

3) Why didn't Kino want to give up his pearl, as his brother advised?

4) What misleading news did Kino receive from the first pearl buyer?

5) What amount of money was first offered for the pearl?

6) Where did Kino hide the pearl after visiting the pearl buyers?

7) How much money did the second and third buyers offer?

8) Why did Kino suddenly rise with his knife under his shirt to step outside his house doorway?

9) What did Juana beg of Kino, after washing his cuts?

10) What did Kino plan to do after he rejected the local buyers' offers?

11) What nervous habit did the first pearl buyer have?

12) Who went with Kino, Juana and Coyotito to sell the pearl?

13) How did Kino react to the pearl buyers' offers?