The Pearl by John Steinbeck????

Question

What are 10 key passages in the novel? The passages should be no longer than three sentences and should be especially revealing statements about character or theme. I need page numbers please!

So far I have:

"Kino squatted by the fire pit and a hot corncake and dipped it in sauce and ate it. And he drank a little pulque and that was breakfast. That was the only breakfast he had ever known outside of feast days and one incredible fiesta on cookies that had nearly killed him." p.g 5 (Shows that the characters are poor so finding the pearl will be more significant)

"Has he any money?" the doctor demanded. "...I, I alone am supposed to work for nothing- and I am tired of it. See if he has any money" p.g 15 (illustrates how greedy the doctor is when he will only treat the patient if he has money)

I can not find anymore key lines. The theme I came up with is how greed can manipulate how we see things.

Thank you in advance!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Hi "Mrs. Potter,"

I think you've made an excellent start with these first two passages.    The theme of poverty and greed are very important to The Pearl, so continue to look for other examples that highlight their condition, and how the finding of the pearl changes that.  What is Kino's reaction when he finds the pearl?  What is his wife's?  What about their realization that they can save their baby's life?  And then find those passages that, as you say, show how their greed eventually changes how they see things.  If you continue along these lines, you'll do very well.  Good luck!