the pearl essay hook

study guides
lesson plans
homework help

The Pearl Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

Race is an important theme throughout the novel. Discuss how race is shown and how this tension causes problems for Kino and his family.

1.) How would a less-biased response from the doctor or his servant at the gate affected the rest of the story? Would the outcome be different if the doctor had treated Coyotito from his scorpion bite initially? Why or why not?

2.) How do the pearl buyers represent the oppression that a biased social structure brings to the community? How do they work against the divers and prevent a fair deal?

3.) How does this racial situation affect Kino's response to the dead man he stabbed?

Essay Topic 2

Ignorance is an unfortunate partner to racism in this novel. How does ignorance play an important role in how Kino reacts to his environment?

1.) How does Kino react when the priest mentions knowledge from the book? What...

(read more Essay Topics)

FOLLOW BOOKRAGS:

Presentations made painless

Get Premium

101 The Pearl Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

The Pearl by John Steinbeck is a classic novella that explores themes of greed, wealth, and the consequences of ambition. If you're looking for essay topics to explore these themes further, we've got you covered with 101 ideas and examples to get you started.

Discuss how Kino's obsession with the pearl leads to his downfall.

Analyze the role of the doctor in the novella and his treatment of Coyotito.

Explore the symbolism of the pearl and how it represents different things to different characters.

Compare and contrast Kino and Juana's reactions to finding the pearl.

Examine the theme of poverty and how it drives Kino to seek wealth.

Discuss the significance of the title "The Pearl" and how it relates to the novella's themes.

Analyze the relationship between Kino and Juana and how it changes throughout the story.

Discuss the role of fate in Kino's journey to find the pearl.

Examine the theme of colonialism and how it is depicted in the novella.

Compare and contrast the attitudes of the villagers towards the pearl.

Discuss the symbolism of the scorpion sting and its impact on Kino's life.

Analyze the character of the priest and his role in the novella.

Explore the theme of family and how it motivates Kino's actions.

Discuss the role of tradition in Kino's decision-making process.

Compare and contrast Kino's values with those of the villagers.

Analyze the theme of power and how it corrupts Kino.

Discuss the role of nature in the novella and how it reflects the characters' emotions.

Explore the theme of sacrifice and how it is depicted in the novella.

Analyze the role of music in Kino's life and how it connects him to his heritage.

Discuss the theme of justice and how it is portrayed in the novella.

Compare and contrast Kino's actions with those of the other villagers.

Analyze the role of the pearl divers in the novella and their relationship with Kino.

Discuss the theme of masculinity and how it influences Kino's decisions.

Explore the theme of poverty and how it affects the characters' lives.

Analyze the role of religion in the novella and its impact on Kino's beliefs.

Discuss the theme of betrayal and how it shapes the characters' relationships.

Compare and contrast Kino's dreams with his reality.

Analyze the role of the sea in the novella and its symbolism.

Discuss the theme of greed and how it drives the characters' actions.

Explore the theme of redemption and how it is depicted in the novella.

Analyze the role of the pearl buyers in the novella and their influence on Kino.

Discuss the theme of ambition and how it leads to Kino's downfall.

Compare and contrast Kino's actions with those of Juana.

Analyze the role of the trackers in the novella and their impact on Kino's journey.

Discuss the theme of community and how it shapes the characters' lives.

Explore the theme of hope and how it motivates Kino's actions.

Analyze the role of the canoe in the novella and its symbolism.

Discuss the theme of identity and how it influences the characters' decisions.

Compare and contrast Kino's relationship with the pearl with his relationship with Juana.

Analyze the theme of betrayal and how it affects the characters' lives.

Discuss the role of tradition in the novella and its impact on the characters' beliefs.

Explore the theme of isolation and how it shapes the characters' actions.

Analyze the role of the pearl in the novella and its symbolism.

Discuss the theme of loyalty and how it influences the characters' relationships.

Discuss the theme of power and how it corrupts Kino.

Explore the theme of masculinity and how it influences the characters' decisions.

Analyze the role of nature in the novella and its impact on the characters' lives.

Compare and contrast Kino's values with those of the other villagers.

Analyze the symbolism of the scorpion sting and its impact on Kino's life.

Discuss the theme of family and how it motivates Kino's actions.

Analyze the role of music in Kino's life and its connection to his heritage.

Discuss the theme of poverty and how it affects the characters' relationships.

With these 101 essay topic ideas and examples, you'll be well-equipped to dive deep into the themes and characters of The Pearl and produce a compelling and insightful analysis. Happy writing!

Want to research companies faster?

Instantly access industry insights

Let PitchGrade do this for me

Leverage powerful AI research capabilities

We will create your text and designs for you. Sit back and relax while we do the work.

Explore More Content

Ask LitCharts AI
Discussion Question Generator
Essay Prompt Generator
Quiz Question Generator

Literature Guides
Poetry Guides
Shakespeare Translations
Literary Terms

John Steinbeck

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on John Steinbeck's The Pearl . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

The Pearl: Introduction

The pearl: plot summary, the pearl: detailed summary & analysis, the pearl: themes, the pearl: quotes, the pearl: characters, the pearl: symbols, the pearl: theme wheel, brief biography of john steinbeck.

Historical Context of The Pearl

Other books related to the pearl.

Full Title: The Pearl
When Written: 1944
Where Written: California
When Published: 1947
Literary Period: Modernist novel
Genre: Novella/ Parable
Setting: La Paz, Baja California Sur
Climax: Kino’s beating of Juana and his killing of a man in protection of the pearl
Point of View: Third person (from the perspective of the villagers who pass down the tale through generations)

Extra Credit for The Pearl

From Kino to Kino. It is assumed that Kino was named after Eusebius Kino, a Jesuit missionary who explored the Gulf region in the 17th century.

From Film to Fiction. Steinbeck wrote The Pearl on an invitation from Emilio Fernandez, a well-known Mexican filmmaker, to write a screenplay depicting Mexican life. In consequence, The Pearl features few characters, simple and intense action, and cinematic viewpoints.

Quizzes, saving guides, requests, plus so much more.

The Pearl Essay

Organize your thoughts in 6 simple steps, find the perfect quote to float your boat, tired of ads, cite this source, logging out…, logging out....

You've been inactive for a while, logging you out in a few seconds...