The Pearl by John Steinbeck

Writer’s workshop

• Write this quote and reflect on it: “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed” –Mahatma Gandhi– Do you agree?– How can you relate this quote to The Pearl?

Nota Bene: A first draft of one of your pre-writes is due Monday

Universal themes in literature

• Theme: the big idea!• The controlling idea, central insight. • Why explore themes? It enables us to

think critically about a text, have abstract thoughts and expand our perception of book and then the world.

How to figure out the theme:

• It is not directly stated• Themes will be a statement, never just a single

word such as “courage” or, “bravery”• The author will show you through situations

and human experiences in the literature• You must learn it from characters and the plot

by making inferences– Inference: examining the story and the details to

learn more about the plot

What are some themes from The Pearl?

Themes in The Pearl

• Greed is a destructive force– Money brings evil

• Does fate play a role in human life?– Be careful what you wish for

• Colonial societies oppress native cultures• Ignorance leads to subjugation and oppression

• Others?

Themes represented by characters

• Kino:• The doctor:• The pearl dealers:• Coyotito:• Juana:

Symbols

• What is symbolism?• Symbolism is: a word or object that stands for

another word or object. • The object or word can be seen with the eye

or not visible. – For example a dove stands for Peace. The dove

can be seen and peace cannot. – The word is from the Greek word symbolom.

Symbolism found in The Pearl?

Symbolism in The Pearl

• Scorpion: The scorpion is not only a symbol, but foreshadows the evil that is to come

• The pearl: appears differently throughout the story – related to meaning

• The town, the sea, and the village all possess certain symbols of a way of life and death.

• The doctor: Symbol of colonial oppression• Kino’s canoe: life depends on the canoe

Vocabulary Enrichment

• Protagonist• Antagonist• Setting• Conflict• Theme

Vocabulary Enrichment

• Symbolism• Irony• Dramatic irony• Climax• Resolution

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What is a parable?

Found / Blackout Poetry

• Directions: Carefully read the page or news article you have been given. Using pencil, lightly underline details, words, and phrases that you find powerful, moving, or interesting. Begin imagining combinations of these words that will form a poem. Once you decide on the words you need, color over the other words on the page. It is very important to leave the words of your “found poem” uncolored and to “blackout” the other unused words.

• Paste or tape the finished found poem into this portfolio.