The Pearl by John Steinbeck: A Symbolic Journey of Greed and Illusion, Lecture notes of Literature

Download The Pearl by John Steinbeck: A Symbolic Journey of Greed and Illusion and more Lecture notes Literature in PDF only on Docsity! 1.- The story begins with a little prologue where he writes, “If this story is a parable, perhaps everyone takes his own meaning from it and reads his own life into it.” What do we learn about the pearl’s symbolism from the reactions it evokes in the townspeople and main characters? 2.- How does Steinbeck establish the atmosphere with his use of language? Think of the descriptions that open chapter one. 3.- Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. Foreshadowing often appears at the beginning of a story, or a chapter, and it helps the reader develop expectations about the upcoming events. Discuss Steinbeck’s use of foreshadowing in The Pearl. 4.- After diving into the water, Kino returns to the canoe with an especially large shell. Kino is reluctant to open in. “In this Gulf of uncertain light there were more illusions than realities.” Discuss several roles of illusions or mirages in the novel. Why are they significant? What is the bigger message we should take from them? 5.- How does Steinbeck infuse the story a sociopolitical context? 6.- How does Steinbeck inform us about the peasant culture’s fears, superstitions and ultimate fatalism brought on by the “Pearl of the World”? 7.- Is the pearl itself really evil? Make an argument one way or the other. Consider the symbolism of the pearl throughout the parable. What does it represent? BIBLIOTECA TECLA SALA The Pearl John Steinbeck October 17, 2019 Suggested Discussion Questions