1. Ramon claims that the day the pearl was returned to the Madonna, rather than the day he discovered the treasure, signified the "beginning of his manhood." What lessons has he learned that contribute to this feeling?

2. Given that a whole fleet of pearl divers was devastated by the storm at Punta Maldonado, how can we understand the villagers of La Paz's resigned attitude toward the calamity?

3. Why does Ramon abruptly choose to join the Sevillano in the quest to kill the Manta Diablo? How does the Sevillano impact Ramon's decisions and actions throughout the story?

4. Initially, Ramon thinks the Manta Diablo is merely a mythical being created by parents to scare children. Eventually, he becomes a believer. What does this transformation reveal about him?

5. Why does Ramon's father refuse to negotiate over the Pearl of Heaven? Why does he turn down a large sum of money and donate the pearl to the church instead? How does his contribution to the church lead to positive changes in La Paz?

6. Why does Ramon feel impatient with his father when he gets his first opportunity to join the fleet?

7. The Madonna statue is described as neither old nor young, neither Indian nor Spanish. What is O'Dell suggesting through this description?

8. Both Ramon and the Sevillano have plans to steal the Pearl of Heaven from the Madonna. Are their motivations alike?

9. How does the Sevillano interpret the fleet's destruction? Do you agree with his explanation? Why or why not?