The Awakening, by Kate Chopin is a novel that discusses the awakenings of a Victorian woman living in New Orleans. The Pearl, by John Steinbeck is a novel that tells the story of a poor pearl diver who tries to seek wealth and happiness for his family. After finding a large pearl he believes that all his problems are over. He is soon to learn that this pearl would only cause him more grief and unhappiness than he had before. Both books are similar in their themes and both use a wide variety of symbolism. Both novels include the strong theme of greed, degradation of women and use meaningful symbolism that self-glorifies their stories.To live good satisfying lives. That's all Kino and his w ...view middle of the document...
" Edna, devastated by Robert's rejection, and unhappy because none of the men in her life respect her need to govern her own, goes back to Grand Isle where she goes to the beach, removes all her clothing and drowns herself in a fit of passion and frustration towards everyone around her.The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, is a novel that implicates that money and valuables are not always a key to success but very often a key to ruin. Juana, the faithful wife of Kino, a peasant man, had lived a spiritual life for what had seemed like as long as she could remember. When her son Coyotito fell ill from the bite of a scorpion, she eagerly turned towards the spiritual aspects of life. Beginning to pray for her son's endangered life. The doctor, who had resided in the upper-class section of the town, refused to assist the child, turning them away when they arrived at the door. Lastly they turned to the sea to seek their fortune. When Juana set sight on the "Pearl of The World", after her husband had found it at the bottom of the sea, she felt as though all her prayers had been answered. If she could have foreseen the future she would have seen the exact opposite of her expectations. Kino was caught in a twisted realm of mirrors, and they were all shattering one by one. The greed that had mounted in Kino's body had taken control over his actions. Soon even Juana, who had always had faith in her husband, had doubted him greatly. She had tried to help Kino before too much trouble had aroused, only to discover that she was not capable enough to help.Greed and Selfishness No matter man or woman, rich or poor we all can be selfish and greedy. In the village of La Paz there lived a doctor who had earned his wealth by helping those that were ill and could afford his services. Not once in his long career would he have dared refuse to aid a wealthy lawyer or noblemen. However when Kino, a peasant arrived at his door with a poisoned child he had refused them entry saying "Have I nothing better to do than cure insect bites for `little Indians'? I am a doctor, not a veterinary." For the doctor had known that the peasants hadn't any money. A hunger for wealth was what pushed him to visit the peasants' house and aid their destitute son. However he had already ended Coyotito's life without knowing he'd done so, for if he had administered aid to Coyotito when they were first at the doctors door, Kino would have had no reason to seek his fortune in the ocean, and would have not be led down the road to hardships. One might think that a doctor, one who has the image of being passive, and caring should not stoop to such a level.To almost everyone the Priest of a place of worship is so God-like that we are unable to see any faults in his actions. However the reader is able to determine that the Priest in The Pearl is abusing his position in society. The Priest is so set on achieving money and social status that he puts aside the real reason one becomes a Priest, to help and te...
