THE PEARL, John Steinbeck



THE PEARL, John Steinbeck

Chapter 4

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1. This is obviously a very important chapter: Kino goes to town to sell his pearl. How does Steinbeck build up an atmosphere of suspense? (Make notes about every detail that contributes to the air of excitement/anticipation. An example has been done for you.)

▪ Everyone in La Paz knows that Kino is going to sell his pearl today: shop-owners, altar-boys, nuns, beggars, little boys, pearl buyers.

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2. What important fact do we learn about the pearl buyers’ business methods?

 

 

3. Kino and Juana’s neighbors accompany them to the town – just as they accompanied them to the doctor’s in Chapter 2. What does this tell us about their community?

 

 

4. What do we learn about how the natives of La Paz had previously tried handling selling their pearls? Why didn’t that system work? According to the priest, why is this so? Why do you think the priest makes that sermon?

 

5. What is your impression of the first pearl buyer? Why do you think Steinbeck includes the detail about him practicing a coin trick?

 

 

 

6. Explain how the pearl buyers try to cheat Kino. What do they do to try to prove to Kino that he is not being cheated?

7. What does Kino decide to do?

8. What do Kino’s neighbors think about Kino’s decision? What do they think he should do/should have done with the pearl?

 

 

 

9. Kino’s brother, Juan Tomas, says (Page 54/70) "I am afraid for you." Why does he feel this way?

 

 

10. "This pearl is evil," Juana tells Kino. "Let us destroy it before it destroys us." (Page 56-57/73) What would you do in the same situation, and why?

  

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