The Pearl Study Questions

1
The Pearl Study Questions

• Introduction
• 1. What is the purpose of the introduction?

2
Chapter 1

1. What significance does repetition have in the
   lives of Kino and Juana?
2. Describe the song Kino hears in his head.
3. Compare Kinos and Juanas reactions to the
   scorpion.
4. Describe the doctors reaction to Kinos request.

3
Chapter 2

1. How is the air described?
2. What is Kinos most valuable possession and why?
3. What new songs does Kino hear in the chapter?
4. Describe Juanas and Kinos reactions to the
   oyster.

4
Chapter 3

1. How is the town described? How does it react to
   Kinos news?
2. How are Kino and Juana ignorant about the effect
   of their discovery?
3. What songs does Kino hear in this chapter? When
   does he hear them?
4. What does Kino see in the Pearl?
5. What does the description of the scene with the
   thief and Kino suggest?
6. Contrast Kinos and Juanas reactions to the
   pearl at the end of the chapter?

5
Chapter 4

1. Why are the pearl buyers excited about Kinos
   pearl?
2. What does Steinbeck mean when he says that a
   great deal can be learned about a man from the
   tilt of his hat?
3. What happened when the Indians attempted to
   market their pearls collectively?
4. What is the significance of squinting eyes?
5. In the office, how does Kino see the pearl?
6. Why must Kino go to the capital?

6
Chapter 5

1. How has the pearl caused the relationship between
   Kino and Juana to deteriorate?
2. In the light of Juanas views on men and women,
   note other differences based on the characters of
   Kino and Juana.
3. How does Juana react to the murder?
4. Why is the destruction of the canoe such a
   terrible crime?

7
Chapter 6

1. What songs does Kino hear in this chapter? When
   does he hear them?
2. What does Kino see in the pearl now?
3. Compare Juana and Kinos reactions to the
   trappers.
4. How does the landscape contrast to the landscape
   at the beginning of the story?
5. How is the trackers reaction to Coyotitos cry
   ironic?
6. How is Coyotitos death revealed?
7. How has the granting of Kinos wish become an
   irony?