Introduction
Sacrifice forms the emotional core of John Steinbeck’s parable The Pearl. The idea of sacrifice manifests in multiple ways throughout the novella, shaping the fates of Kino, Juana, and their infant son Coyotito. Steinbeck suggests sacrifice comes in many forms – material, emotional, and physical – sometimes voluntarily, often not. The Pearls’ sacrifice begins when a scorpion stings Coyotito, setting off a chain of events that leads them to find “the Pearl of the World” and ultimately lose far more than they gain. This essay will examine the multifaceted notion of sacrifice in The Pearl, analyzing how Steinbeck employs the concept to comment on human nature, greed, love, and the elusive nature of paradise. It will argue that sacrifice, whether intentional or forced upon characters, comes to define the narrative arc, demonstrating that sacrifice is an inescapable part of the human condition. An analysis of The Pearl's core theme of sacrifice will illuminate Steinbeck's perspective on the inevitable sacrifices made in the pursuit of dreams, ambitions, and security.
Steinbeck's Parable: Sacrifice and the Human Struggle
John Steinbeck published The Pearl in 1947 after years of examining the lives of the impoverished pearl divers living in La Paz, Mexico. The spare parable, less than 100 pages, employs rich symbolic language to explore timeless themes. Central among them is the idea that pursuing material wealth often requires sacrificing moral values and relationships. Throughout his career, Steinbeck showed interest in the working class and poor, examining how poverty shaped human struggle and resilience. The Pearl focuses on an indigenous family contending with colonial exploitation and greed. Steinbeck utilizes the emotional power of sacrifice to emphasize how suffering transcends social status. He suggests through the hardships the family endures in The Pearl that sacrifice is a universal part of the human condition.
The Temptation of Wealth: Sacrificing Morals for Materialism
From the beginning of The Pearl, Steinbeck establishes that the relentless pursuit of wealth and security requires sacrifice. When news of the "Pearl of the World" spreads after Kino finds it, the entire village suddenly views him as a threat. Kino even begins to sacrifice his morals, contemplating killing a man who tries to steal the pearl. Steinbeck writes, "It was the first time he had ever thought of killing any man...now in his cave pearl he saw Coyotito dead...and in the pearl he saw the rushing armies of his people...the pearl was his soul" (Steinbeck 31). This reveals how the pearl's temptation pushes Kino to consider violence, sacrificing his principles for material gain. Even Juana warns Kino, "This thing is evil...This pearl is like a sin! It will destroy us” (Steinbeck 52). She cautions that pursuing the pearl's promise will cost them their humanity and community belonging. Yet Kino remains fixated on the pearl's allure, willing to sacrifice all for its power. Here Steinbeck suggests wealth's seductive nature can drive people to moral compromise.
Maternal Sacrifice: Prioritizing Love Over Fortune
While Kino obsesses over the pearl, Juana recognizes its danger, providing a sacrificial counterperspective. Her maternal love for Coyotito drives her to steal the pearl and throw it back to the sea. Juana tells Kino, “This pearl is evil...Let us break it between stones...I will throw it back into the sea where it belongs” (Steinbeck 65). Unlike Kino's materialism, Juana prioritizes family over fortune, attempting to sacrifice the pearl for her son's life. Later, when Kino attacks trackers seeking the pearl, Steinbeck writes, “Juana's soul was with him. She trembled with his advance and her throat swelled in pride” (Steinbeck 77). Despite recognizing the pearl's evil, Juana sacrifices her objections to stand by Kino. Her enduring loyalty highlights that true sacrificial love can overcome greed's allure. Through Juana's perspective, Steinbeck conveys that sacrifice for others represents a deeper human value than individual gain.
Conclusion
John Steinbeck's The Pearl utilizes the concept of sacrifice to explore tension between wealth and human dignity. For Kino, the "Pearl of the World" symbolizes obsessive materialism, driving him to sacrifice his values. For Juana, love for family transcends the pearl's promise, leading her to sacrifice her own security to protect them. Steinbeck suggests through their contrasting sacrifices that integrity and community matter more than public acclaim or fortune. Sacrifice comes to define each character's arc and the novella's tragic end, underscoring Steinbeck's perspective that sacrifice forms an inevitable, recurring part of the human condition. Though stark in its brevity, The Pearl conveys a nuanced message that still resonates - material wealth often comes at the cost of moral wealth.
