The Pearl Group

Question:

randhawa29
randhawa29
Student
High School - 11th Grade

Describe the setting of the story "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck?

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Posted by randhawa29 on Sunday October 11, 2009 at 4:01 PM and tagged with setting of the story the pearl by john steinbeck, the pearl.

Answers:

  1. mwestwood
    mwestwood Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    The Pearl is set in La Paz, Mexico, a poor coastal town with racial problems which evolved from colonial domination.  This setting provides the background for the conflicts that ensue from Kino's finding the Pearl of the World.  Uneducated in the ways of the world, Kino and his family fall victim to racial prejudices as he is turned away as they seek help from the doctor for their baby, Coyotito, who has been stung by a scorpion.  For, the doctor is a member of the colonial elite, who perceives Kino's family as "animals"; he tells Kino that he is a doctor, not a vertenarian.  Likewise Kino is a victim of prejudice as he tries to talk with both the priest and the pearl dealers, both of whom try to exploit his ignorance.

    The setting of the poor town beset by colonization acts as a catalyst to the development of Steinbeck's theme of the detrimental aspects of colonialism.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/pearl-qn/setting
    http://www.enotes.com/pearl/

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    Posted by mwestwood on Sunday October 11, 2009 at 4:38 PM