Kino finds a very large pearl that seems to have magical properties as it heals the baby on it's own.

After being turned away by the doctor for having no money, Kino and his wife, Juana take to his canoe to dive for pearls in the sea in the hopes that they will find one big enough to pay for treatment for the child. One morning as the sun is rising, Coyotito is stung by a deadly scorpion and, in fear for his life his parents rush him to the town doctor. The moral of the story is that money cannot buy happiness.The novella follows the story of a poor Mexican-Indian man named Kino who lives with his wife and their newborn son, Coyotito in a house made of brush. In the end the pearl costs Kino his harmonious life, his house, his canoe and his family. Kino has the false belief that the newfound material wealth could grant them more happiness. They have a roof over their heads and they have Kino’s ancestral canoe and most of all they have each other. It seems that family is somewhat restored when the pearl is no longer in Kino’s possession.įrom the start of the novel it appears that Kino lives in a natural and peaceful environment in harmony with his wife and child. That being said, the novel ends as Juana and Kino walk side by side as equal partners. However the pearl drives Kino crazy with greed and as a result he loses his blissful relationship with his wife and ultimately loses his son. It is clear that Kino would go to great lengths to cure Coyotito and when the opportunity arises he desires a better life for him and his family. Kino lives in harmony with his family up until Coyotito is poisoned. Moreover, one should not aim above or below their inherent position in society. Kino’s dreams are simply dreams and could not come true because they would upset the social hierarchy.

Kino desires to rise into superiority by giving his child a good education and having new clothes for him and his wife, all of those are innocent dreams of a poor man in a rich man’s world. However, in the novel ambition is a sin punishable by a higher power and is a reason behind Kino’s downfall. It seems that the pearl and material wealth in general brings out the greed in the people who seek it.Īmbition is a characteristic that is innate in human nature.

Kino himself is greedy when he refuses to dispose of the pearl that brings him danger. The town’s people are Kino’s neighbors in daylight, but turn into Kino’s attackers and enemies at night as they try to take the pearl away from him.

The pearl dealers are greedy and want to trick Kino into selling his pearl for less than it’s worth. The doctor is greedy and only treats Coyotito after hearing of Kino’s pearl. Greed is the main evil force that the parable is meant to warn against. Literature Guides The Pearl Themes and Symbols Themes

The pearl novella