Stylistics
Assignment
no.3
Stylistic analysis of
Chapter no.5‘The Pearl’
Submitted to:
Mam Qamar Khushi
Submitted by:
Amna Khalid
(Narrator,character,representation
of reality)
Madiha Zahra Raja
(figurative devices,setting)
Tuba Tariq
(plot,point of view)
Plot Summary of the Pearl
"Kino, a poor Indian/Mexican
pearl diver, enjoys a simple life with his wife Juana and their baby, Coyotito.
The baby, bitten by a scorpion, falls ill, and the doctors refuse to treat him.
Things look up when Kino discovers a huge, beautiful pearl one day.
Incredulous, Kino howls with joy, and suddenly everyone in La Paz La Paz
Angela Allan,
Resident Scholar
Literature Review –
John Steinbeck, The Pearl
John Steinbeck has long been
understood to be a very intelligent author who infuses his work with a populist
flavour that allows the reader to empathize with his protagonists, to live
their struggles, and to ultimately draw a great deal of knowledge and
reflection from the realm of fiction and literature. The Pearl is a stunning example of this
capability – both in its capacity to appeal to pathos and beauty as well as in
its cutting critique of capitalistic extortion and human greed.
The Song of the Family
The story of The Pearl centers around a very poor family
comprised of husband Kino, wife Juana, and their infant child, Coyotito. A
family of few words, and fishers by trade for generations, the narrative begins
with a beautiful, placid morning on the marina where, in verbal silence, the
Song of the Family is played out through the chores of the morning and the
intangible bonds of familial love.
The infant is soon bitten by a
scorpion, and falls gravely ill. The nearest doctor from town, a mean-hearted
elitist with little time for savage children, is only interested in serving as
Coyotito's physician upon news that Kino, in his desperate prayers, has found
within an oyster the largest and most lustrous pearl to grace the earth.
Kino is wise to the ways of men and recalls the history of his grandfather's time – when such pearls had to be traded abroad due to the fact that all of the appraisers and buyers in town were in collusion, presenting a facade of competition when really they were all owned and owed their livelihood to a single wealthy investor. The pearl is his salvation from poverty, to Kino it is an avenue of escape and a means of procuring an education and clean clothes for Coyotito as well as, in his wildest dreams, a rifle with which to hunt.
The conflict, climax, and denouement
of the narrative involves extortion and deceit on the part of them moneylenders
and traders – seeking to rob this uppity native of his pearl - and when that
fails, outright murder and thievery fills the scene.
Narrator
The Pearl
“She burst clear out of the brush line and
stumbled over the little boulders toward the water, and then she heard him
coming and she broke into a run. Her arm was up to throw when he leaped at her
and caught her arm and wrenched the pearl from her.”
“He heard the
rush, got his knife out and lunged at one dark figure and felt his knife go
home, and then he was swept to his knees and swept again to the ground. Greedy
fingers went through his clothes, frantic fingers searched him, and the pearl,
knocked from his hand, lay winking behind a little stone in the pathway. It
glinted in the soft moonlight.”
Character
Kino:
This chapter chronicles the further deterioration of Kino's former life as he fights with Juana, suffers the loss of his canoe and home and is again assaulted by an unknown enemy. Thus, the process begun with the discovery of the pearl and Kino's refusals to accept the buyer's offer has now come to bloodshed.
When Kino kills
his assailant the ties to his life as a member of the village are forever
sundered. He is now a murderer and, though he killed in self-defense, he knows
that the officials in the town will not believe his story. Kino's attachment to
the pearl is revealed
in his state of
helplessness when he believes it to have been stolen and his confession to his
brother that it has become one with his soul.
Juana:
Juana's attempt
to throw the pearl into the sea demonstrates the depth of her conviction that
the pearl, far from a source of wealth and prosperity, is actually a thing of
evil. Although she is willing to defy Kino by throwing it into the sea she is
equally willing to suffer his blows and accept his will as the head of the
family. Significantly, it is Juana who saves the pearl, drags the dead man into
the bushes, insists that they leave immediately and retrieves Coyotito from the
burning hut all of which make possible the family's continued survival.
Juan Thomás':
Juan Thomás'
willingness to shelter Kino and the pearl, even if only for a day indicates
that he is Kino's one true friend left in the village. Aside from Juan Thomás,
however, there is no reason to believe that anyone in La Paz , whether Indian or not, will help Kino
in his attempt to create real prosperity for his family. The destruction of
Kino's canoe is an event which the narrator qualifies with the observations that
"the killing of a man was not as
evil as the killing of a boat" and that as a result there was "sorrow in Kino's rage, but this last
thing [destruction of the canoe] had tightened him beyond breaking." The
force of these statements leads the reader to understand that because of the
destruction of Kino's canoe not only will the family's escape be more difficult
but also their old way of life has been violated, never again to be made whole.
Figurative Language
Personification
In the very
first line of chapter 5 we see personification as it is written
“The first moon arose before the first
rooster crowed” the words moon arose show night time and night is the time
associated with danger or something evil. The first line prepares the readers
for something evil going to happen. Then other personifications are found as “ a tall flame leaped up in the dark with a
crackling roar” as crackle is a harsh sound and is not soothing to ears
represent uneasiness something not calm.There is another personification that is
“Wind rose up to beat the gulf”
represent the role of nature that even nature is not in favor of Kino and Juana
Simile:
A lot of Simile
is also found in this chapter like
“And then like a
shadow she glided towards the door “ shows weakness of juana
“the killing of
man was not so evil as the killing of boat”
“the fire die
down as quickly as a twig fire dies”
“I am like a
leprosy”
Repetition:
“do you remember
yesterday?” ”Edo you think that will matter?Do
you remember the m,en of the city?Do you think your explanation will help?
“A boat does not have sons, and a boat cannot
protect itself,And a wounded boat doesnot heal.”
Epithet:
Uneasiness in
the air
Nervous restless
wind
Alliteration
Following
alliteration is used
Frantic fingers
Water white
Cooking corn
cakes
Stinging salt
Sibling sounds:
“He hissed at
her like a snake” shows nature of kino that how for a pearl he has even become
in different to his wife.this shows his greedy nature.
He turned away
and a “sick disgust took its place”
LEXICAL FEATURES
Nouns
Concrete nouns
gulf,
brush houses, kino, juana, blanket, pearl, water,knife,
Adjectives
Pale light,hands
helpless,greedy fingers,unfrightened eyes,little stone,
Verbs
Drowned,searched,sank,sponged,killed
Setting:
Setting is an
important part of the novel.It helps to give meaning to the story.Setting in a
story tells where and when a story takes place.thus the setting acts as the
background of the story.
The setting of
the novel pearl is a fishing village and most of the story takes place during
night.The word night symbolizes
darkness,gloominess and horror and it prepares the readers for something evil
going to happen.
Representation of reality
We call it a "parable" because the story is
fairly simple in nature (Man finds pearl; pearl destroys man) but illustrates a
larger, moralistic truth (greed will corrupt and destroy all that is good in
the world). In this chapter also we see that the greed of the pearl destroys
all that they had, even the destruction of the canoe left a great impact on the
family. It is a very good representation of reality that we even in the world
around us.
Point of View:
It is obvious to most readers that The Pearl seeks
to illuminate the struggle of the underclass, especially when also battling
blatant racism and bigotry – and the simple hopes of hardworking men who want
nothing more than an education for their sons and daughters and
women who
are economically uneducated – and the depths to which many men of greed and
lust for money will sink to in order to
achieve wealth. Steinbeck also notes the pure greed and usurious nature
of most capitalistic middlemen - especially with regards to the element of
collusion and false competition within a captive market comprised of men and
women who are economically uneducated – and the depths to which many men of
greed and lust for money will sink to in order to achieve wealth.
This is not simply a negative and
reactionary tale however – it also extols the simplest and heartwarming virtues
that are possessed of persons of all means. The Song of the Family, in the
waking hours of the day, resonating deep within the bosom of husband, wife, and
child – is completely independent of material wealth. This song is comprised of
soundless lyrics that are completely incorporeal and yet as real as The Pearl
and of infinitely greater value – the true tragedy and folly visited upon Kino,
who in his hope for a better life for his family perhaps gambled too greatly.
In summation The Pearl is a
short read, yet emotionally captivating and compelling to the last word. It is
a great example of the depth of John Steinbeck's literary work and still has a
very valuable message to impart to the modern reader. Blending a populist and
cultural social criticism along with a touching and personal story in such a
short span of words shows talent and inspiration – this volume is possessed of
both.
The
The Pearl Mexico
during the nineteen hundreds in the city of La Paz
The theme of this book is not to let greed or money to
get in the way of you or your family. Greed is a destructive force and if not
controlled it will effect you a lot maybe even forever, like the death of
Kino’s son Coyotito. Another theme is fate because fate was a major aspect to
why Kino did not succeed in his dreams of having a luxurious life. When Kino
discovered the Pearl he
thought that it would take him out of poverty and into a life of happiness. The
pearl was not meant for anyone to find, and the finding of one was luck, “a
little pat on the back by God.”
The problem in this story is that Kino is
trying to sell his pearl and every one bids a low price. That means he keeps it
longer and everyone is trying to steal it from him. The conflict is man vs. man
the reason why is that a lot of people are trying to steal it from him the day
he got it. It went to the point that people were tracking him for it and
attacking him in his sleep.
I hated it when Kino went pearl diving and found
the “pearl of the world,” and started making a scene. When you find something
very valuable like that you keep that a secret and under ground. When you make
a discovery with something valuable like that you do not deal in front of an
audience you do it privately. When you plan to travel somewhere to deal a
valuable thing like a pearl as big as a seagulls egg you do not tell any one
and you be especially careful.
This book taught me not to let money or anything
get in the way with me and my families relationship. It made me think twice
about money and keeping it for myself and at least helping someone if I have
enough money.
Wealth can lead you in many directions depending on if
you are prepared for it or not. If it is unexpected, it will most definitely
change your life. Unexpected wealth could be dangerous if it falls into the
wrong hands. Many people could use it on useless items or bad people could buy
drugs or weapons. In addition, today many people could gamble their newly found
wealth and lose all of their money on the lottery, on scratch tickets, or in
casinos. On the other hand, unexpected wealth could be used productively if the
right person got it. They could donate it to a charity, improve life for their
family, or even put the money into the bank to save up for something. Along
with using unexpected wealth being used poorly, greediness has its
consequences. Finding something valuable and selling it can be hard if you are
greedy. You may ask for too high of a price from the person you are selling it
to and end up getting nothing or you may be ignorant and not know the price
your item is supposed to be and sell it for too low of a price.
Wealth and the Pearl
In the novel 'The Pearl' the author, John Steinbeck has
clearly stated
a message. He taught us the life lesson, that being wealthy isn't
everything through a character he created named Kino. Steinbeck had
placed the setting in a poor village inLa Paz
relationship of their close-knit family. When the pearl was found, the
plan was to sell it and use the money to pay for Coyotito's medical
bills also to send him to school for an education. This extraordinary
idea was demolished by the actions of Kino's greediness for money. As
the novel progressed the events only became more serious. He did not
only hurt the people around him that love him, but himself. "In Kino's
ears the Song of the Family was as fierce as a cry. He was immune and
terrible and his song had become a battle cry." Kino turned down pearl
buyers, hit his wife, murdered a man, ran away from home and shot his
baby.
a message. He taught us the life lesson, that being wealthy isn't
everything through a character he created named Kino. Steinbeck had
placed the setting in a poor village in
relationship of their close-knit family. When the pearl was found, the
plan was to sell it and use the money to pay for Coyotito's medical
bills also to send him to school for an education. This extraordinary
idea was demolished by the actions of Kino's greediness for money. As
the novel progressed the events only became more serious. He did not
only hurt the people around him that love him, but himself. "In Kino's
ears the Song of the Family was as fierce as a cry. He was immune and
terrible and his song had become a battle cry." Kino turned down pearl
buyers, hit his wife, murdered a man, ran away from home and shot his
baby.
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