1a. Why do the parents go to the doctor's house? Of what race is the doctor's servant? Why does the doctor's servant "shut the gate quickly"?
2a. What does Kino find when he goes diving? What does he hope is inside?
3a. What does Kino want for his son?
1b. Why does the doctor refuse to treat Coyotito? How do you think the servant feels about the doctor's actions?
2b. Why doesn't Kino open this item immediately? What do both he and Juana fear? What does their fear reveal about them?
3b. Why does Kino want this for his son? What difference will it make to people like Kino to have such a person among them?
4a. What evidence can you find that shows Kino has a good life? What evidence can you find that shows Kino's life is difficult?
4b. Based on these findings, do you think on the whole, that Kino's life is a good one? Explain.
5a. Evaluate Kino and Juana's relationship. What are its strengths and weaknesses? What predictions can you make about the outcome of the story based on your findings?
5b. What traits (such as trust or love) have you seen in real life, in books, or in movies that help relationships work? What kinds of traits in relationships break up or hurt families?
Conflict. What internal conflict does Kino face in The Pearl? What happens at the end of the story to end this conflict for Kino? What does Kino decide to do? Can you identify any external conflicts Kino faces throughout the story?
1a. What evidence does chapter 4 present that shows that Kino is not likely to receive great financial benefit from the pearl? What act of violence does Kino commit, and why?
2a. What happens in chapter 5 that causes Kino to decide to take his family north? Toward the beginning of chapter 6, when Kino thinks about what the pearl will bring him, he no longer puts his family first. What does he think of instead?
3a. Who follows Kino and his family? What happens to Coyotito and to the people who follow Kino?
1b. How is the existence of the pearl affecting the people around Kino? How is it affecting Kino himself? Do you think that owning the pearl will make Kino's life better or worse? Why?
2b. What do you think causes Kino not to think of his family first? How might the events from chapter 5 and the beginning of chapter 6 lead to his new priority?
3b. Why does this incident make Kino no longer want to keep the pearl?
4a. What evidence can you find from chapters 4–6 that shows that Kino's life has changed since the first half of the story?
4b. How has the pearl changed in Kino's view at the end of the novel? What has Kino learned from his experience? How might his life now be different?
5a. What does this story teach us about wealth and love? Do you agree or disagree with the ideas it brings forth?
5b. Find an example from real life, from books, or from movies of a person who has suddenly become wealthy. How was this person affected? How did it affect that person's family? Did that person change for the better or for the worse?
Symbol. What symbols did you find in The Pearl? What does the pearl symbolize to Juana? What is the rifle a symbol of? What is the doctor a symbol of? By using symbolism, an author creates many layers of comprehension for a reader. Do you think the author was successful in presenting a story that could be read with different levels of understanding?
1. Write a paragraph that picks up where The Pearl ends. What happens to Kino and Juana? Where do they live? How do they get along? What are their plans for the future?
2. Write a song called "The Song of the Family" or "The Song of the Pearl."
3. Retell one scene from the point of view of another character, such as the doctor.
Synonyms. A synonym is a word or phrase that means the same as another word. Write a synonym or near synonym for each of the following words. Use a thesaurus if necessary.
1. coagulate
2. writhe
3. stalwart
4. clamor
5. inaudible
6. lethargy
7. trifle
8. residue
9. contemptuous
10. croon
11. rampart
12. fondle
13. obscure
14. monotonously
15. edifice
16. avarice
17. reassure
18. tithe
19. gibber
20. stout
Using Contractions. Review the Language Arts Survey 3.30, "Using Contractions." Then rewrite the following sentences, using contractions when possible.
1. I am cleaning my room.
2. Where is my hat?
3. He can not sing very well.
4. It is somewhere in this room, but I do not see it.
5. Are you not cold?
6. I should have seen it coming.
7. I will not accept your answer.
8. He has not made the team yet.
9. She is hoping he is on time today.
10. But they are never willing to share!
Researching Pearls: Research Log. Use this log to keep track of the sources you use, the information you find, and your reactions to what you learn.
Internet sources:
Books and other print sources:
How are pearls formed?
How common are pearls?
What is the size range of pearls?
When were pearls first discovered?
Where are pearls found?
Who are pearl divers?
