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What is the significance of repetition in Kino and Juana's lives?
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The repetition in Kino and Juana's lives signifies the peace and comfort of their daily routine, highlighting their contentment despite their poverty. This routine creates a sense of security and stability. However, the discovery of the Pearl of the World disrupts this harmony, introducing chaos and violence. The contrast between their repetitive, peaceful life and the turmoil following the pearl's discovery underscores the destructive impact of greed and ambition.
At the beginning of the novella, Kino awakens and steps outside of his hut to watch the sun rise above the ocean. He enjoys the picturesque view and hears the soft, comforting Song of the Family. As Juana builds a small fire and works the corn for the morning cakes, Kino sits peacefully in the sand with his blanket wrapped around his body. Steinbeck writes,
It was a morning like other mornings and yet perfect among mornings. (2)
The repetition in Kino and Juana's life is significant and represents the peace and comfort they have on an everyday basis. Despite the fact that the family is not wealthy by society's standards, there is peace and happiness in their lives. Steinbeck contrasts the couple's harmonious life to their chaotic, dangerous life after Kino finds the Pearl of the World. Once Kino finds the massive pearl, he thinks about the future opportunities...
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for his family after he sells the valuable pearl. Unfortunately, the pearl invites chaos and violence into Kino's home and his life changes for the worse. The family's peaceful, repetitive life on the beach is compromised because Kino refuses to get rid of the evil pearl.
Repetition may not be the proper way to describe the continuous pattern of activity that is inherent to Kino and Juana's family. Their actions are mostly what is known as a routine. A routine is a specific sequence of events that is often perpetuated when its results are consonant with what is expected to happen.
In not so many words, the routine in the lives of Kino and Juana makes them feel safer and more secure of their actions. After all, not much has changed in their lives ever since they have been together: They are just an everyday family. The way they do things works perfectly for them. They are in their comfort zone.
When it comes to literary devices, the repetitive routine in the lives of Kino and Juana prepares the reading audience to a sudden halt in this aspect of their lives, and the subsequent transition into the awkward nature of the pearl. It helps us to compare and contrast life before and after the finding of the pearl. It also helps us to critically analyze the effects of the pearl in the otherwise normal marriage of Kino and Juana.
Therefore, there is a lot of significance in the repetition that we find in the everyday actions of Kino and Juana: It shows us how they went from solid and secure to dysfunctional and worried due to the effects of the pearl.