“Steinbeck illustrates the tragic consequences of losing that freedom of spirit in The Pearl, expressing a deep sympathy for the individual and community that suffers under such an oppressive system .” (Perkins). In The Pearl, John Steinbeck describes having great empathy for those who lack freedom of spirit. This tragic effect causes individuals to suffer in an oppressive system. The main reason why he wrote La Perla is to give voice to the working class who sometimes do not have this freedom. He explains throughout the novel the unfortunate experiences that Kino endures. Kino abused the pearl's power and caused oppression and disorder to himself and the community. In The Pearl, Steinbeck shows that Kino cannot escape oppression through Juana's thoughts, the development of the pearl, and the doctor's cultural superiority. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Steinbeck uses Juana's thoughts and emotions to show that Kino cannot escape oppression. Kino let her visions overtake her sanity and Juana says, “There was no anger in her for Kino. He had said, “I am a man,” and that meant certain things to Juana. It meant he was half crazy and half god. It meant that Kino would push his force against a mountain and throw his force against the sea. Juana, in her soul as a woman, knew that the mountain would remain standing while the man would break; that the sea would swell while man would drown in it.” Juana understands Kino's masculinity. Kino cannot help but fight the forces beyond him because he is man, and that is his nature. He is taken aback by the greed and evil that have corrupted his life along with that of his family. Juana realizes that she cannot escape her oppressive state and that everything will soon be destroyed. The quote uses metaphors that compare Kino's strength to mountains and seas. This means that Kino will not give up until he achieves his goals and visions for his family, which will soon cause oppression. This can be further explained by stating, “Kino has entered a sort of moral twilight zone where his physical strength reveals his moral weakness. Juana may be the person lying in the water, but it is Kino who has actually fallen in the most important sense, and the comparison of Kino to a serpent – the traditional symbol of evil – seems perfectly appropriate” (Pearl). Kino's moral weakness is evident when he realizes that he cannot fight the supreme forces around him. The pearl has transformed Kino into an evil and selfish person, and he cannot escape it. Kino fails to see the unfortunate causes of his actions and will cause oppression of his family when he loses everything of value in his life. Juana knows the horrible path Kino is heading towards, but realizes that she can't do anything because Kino is a man and has some authority over her. Steinbeck uses the development of the pearl to show how Kino cannot escape oppression. Juana says: “The pearl is like a sin; will destroy us." The Pearl of the World has an exceptional price but also involves a great sacrifice. Initially the pearl was used as a symbol of hope and salvation. Kino sees the pearl to escape his status in society and his visions were very ambitious. The pearl then became a symbol of evil in the world because greed seems to emerge in the presence of evil. The pearl will soon destroy everything of value in her life. Steinbeck uses a simile to compare the pearl to a sin. The pearl may represent sin in the world, to which it is inevitable,.”
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