Book Crazy discussion

HAPPY POSTING!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What did you think of Steinbeck's style of writing?

Besides The Pearl, I've only read Of Mice and Men, and that was back in high school, so I don't remember much of the style of writing (although I remember the basic plot and the resolution). I really liked how The Pearl was written. The words are almost poetic and magical, but yet so easy to read. It was more of a novella, because it was so short. It kind of encouraged me to reread Of Mice and Men soon. Maybe I should add that to my reading goals this year.

2. What kind of message do you think does the novel hold? What kind of life lessons would you say can be gleaned from reading this short novel?

The obvious one would be of greed. Sometimes life has more precious treasures that you risk losing when you go after the external and worldly treasures.
It also emphasizes the importance of family. When Kino was almost losing his mind from wanting to protect the pearl (and also developing greed for it), Juana still stuck with him and believed in him. His brother was also very supporting and was the only one (beyond Juana and Coyotito) who did not develop greed for the pearl. He was the ideal character in the novel, along with Juana, I think.

3. What are your reactions to the ending?

It was sad, and a bit unexpected for me (although I was suspecting it because I overheard people talking about The Pearl in my class before). I wished that it didn't have to end that way. An innocent soul was hurt and sacrificed.. for nothing in the end, but for a lesson and a warning to everyone else.

1. I’ve read quite a few Steinbeck novels, and I’ve noticed quite the trend: misery. I don’t dislike Steinbeck. He’s very easy to read—some even call him technical writer-esque because his style is so simplistic. He doesn’t overstate or use grandiose words. However, Steinbeck is never fun to read. I’m never compelled to pick up a new Steinbeck novel because I know that I will be disappointed in the ending or the characters. The stories are not unique enough or told beautifully enough to sometimes be worth the effort. For The Pearl, it was—the book was less than 100 pages. However, for his longer works, I’ve definitely felt that my time could have been better used (for example, East of Eden is one of my least favorite/most infuriating books of all time).

2. I agree with Peachy on the lessons gleaned from the novella. It’s actually based on an old folk tale and is strikingly similar to pretty much any other story warning about the pitfalls of greed (even greed for “good” or “honorable” reasons). As soon as the pearl appeared, the ending was obvious because it’s been told by so many authors/storytellers (movies, television, etc.).

3. Not surprising. I had hoped that no one would die as a result of the pearl, but knowing Steinbeck, people or creatures (especially the very innocent) die.

More interesting is probably what happened after the close of the story. What happens after the couple arrives home sans pearl and riches and with possible criminal charges looming in a very racist community?

Jenny wrote: "1. I’ve read quite a few Steinbeck novels, and I’ve noticed quite the trend: misery. I don’t dislike Steinbeck. He’s very easy to read—some even call him technical writer-esque because his style is..."

First of all, thanks for sharing your thoughts Jenny!

I am sorry to hear that Steinbeck's novels are generally miserable, as you have aptly described. I probably would have to wait then before I decide to read another of his novels.
You brought up a very important point... what happened to Kino and Juana after the timeline covered in the story?
I was puzzled why they came back at all... the community environment would seem to bring so much reminders of Coyotito and the unfortunate circumstances they've gone through.
I was also thinking that maybe the neighbors would be understanding and sympathetic enough not to bring any more harm to their family after witnessing them carry the corpse of their only child.

Interesting that you assumed that the neighbors were the source of most of the family's troubles. I assumed that the white people of the village were the main source of the thefts/murder attempts. Steinbeck never actually says either way.

I think I based my assumption on Kino's interactions with the pearl sellers and doctor. At least to Kino's face, the other Native Americans seemed to support him or be simply keenly interested in the outcome of the pearl's sell.

Then again, Kino is too afraid of the other villagers to seek their help. He goes to family only. And Steinbeck does ram home how envious everyone is--whites and natives alike. It could have been one, the other, or both.

Steinbeck leaves just enough unsaid that a few different conclusions can be drawn from the story. While the novella seemed first and foremost a warning of the perils of greed to me, it also read as an interesting discussion of racism in the early days of California (if it was even California yet--the area reminded me of California, and Steinbeck is obsessed with setting most of his books in the mid-California coastal region).

While Steinbeck is really depressing, his stories are enjoyable. Maybe in smaller doses? I have a real distaste for Hemingway for this reason (among others), but I enjoy his short stories immensely.

1. Steinbeck's prose is indisputably beautiful and unsurprisingly apt for a classics author.

2. I experienced a different theme than the one already discussed. I felt not so much a parable admonishing greed as much as an allegory representing the futility of hope for the majority of humans actively oppressed into a lesser station. Although greed plays a central role, if it were a lesson against greed as the message, I believe that the doctor would have been a better target than the actual protagonist for the ultimate punishment.
Instead, what we see is that the pivotal moment leading to trouble for Kino was the instant that he dared to dream beyond his simple life for the first time ever, when he dared to make a plan. This is not greed; it is a core characteristic of humanity.

I have lived in the third world volunteering for the Peace Corp in a place where the possession of vision towards a hopeful future is not a natural part of the culture. I had to live in it and reflect hard to appreciate fully why it is so naturally absent. This is because I grew up in a world that is easily able to completely take it for granted.
I tried very hard to teach my villagers to make plans and work for a long-term goal and it felt like I was attempting to nail jello to a wall. It would have been easy to label them lazy for not trying; but that lacks an understanding that there is a great fear of having hope for a third world citizen, because getting that ball rolling 99 times out of 100 for them will end tragically and it has become completely not worth it to the point of complete obliteration.
The saddest realization of this book is the revelation that it is our own species that squashes the hope of others for selfish greed. The pearl of The Pearl is a perfect symbol for this because it had no actual utility to to anybody beyond its purely cosmetic attraction to the rich. This is why the destruction of the canoe is so important as a counterpoint, because it has ultimate utility for the villagers' livelihood.
And because Kino's plan was anchored in improving his family's station through his son's education; the son had to die for Kino to learn this lesson. And he has to come home because that is where he belongs as a lesson to all others in his lot to dare not to dream for what it will cost you.

Eric wrote: "1. Steinbeck's prose is indisputably beautiful and unsurprisingly apt for a classics author.

2. I experienced a different theme than the one already discussed. I felt not so much a parable admoni..."

Hmmm... you made a very interesting point.. something that actually crossed my mind as I was reading it, when they kept bringing up Kino's desire for Coyotito to be educated. I don't know why I never came back to this idea. But thank you for sharing your insights Eric!