The Pearl: Key Quotes

1. “Have I nothing better to do than cure insect bites for ‘little Indians’? I am a doctor, not a veterinarian.”

(Doctor) (Chapter 1)

Juana and Kino take Coyotito to the doctor’s house after their son is stung by a scorpion, which can be fatal for infants. The doctor’s scornful, dismissive reply conveys his sense of superiority as well as his resentment of Kino’s people. Not only does he deny Coyotito a potentially life-saving treatment, he also denies the humanity of Kino’s race. To the doctor, the indigenous people are animals, not human beings.

2. “The songs were all in Kino and in his people—every song … even the ones forgotten.”

(Narrator) (Chapter 2)

Kino’s actions and emotions are guided by the songs he hears in his head. Depending on what is happening around him, Kino hears the Song of the Family, the Song of the Pearl That Might Be, the Song of the Pearl, or the Song of Evil. Kino relates to the world in this way because his ancestors used songs to describe and understand the world. Like his people, Kino has inherited the songs—the communal knowledge—of his ancestors.

3. “In this Gulf of uncertain light, there were more illusions than realities.”

(Narrator) (Chapter 2)

Although the “ghostly gleam” Kino saw emanating from the enormous oyster seems to suggest an equally giant pearl inside, Kino knows better than to trust what his eyes seem to show him. Like all the fishing people of the Gulf, Kino understands that because of the way the light falls, the eyes cannot easily differentiate between reality and illusion. Kino knows he might have found a pearl of inestimable value—or nothing at all.

4. “The poison sacs of the town began to manufacture venom, and the town swelled … with the pressure.”

(Narrator) (Chapter 3)

The metaphorical language used here urges readers to recall Coyotito’s shoulder, which is swollen from the venom of the scorpion’s sting. Steinbeck then describes the effect the news of Kino’s pearl has on the town. Kino’s good fortune immediately arouses the greed of all those around him. This greed is like venom, and it moves through the town like an infection. The organism that is the town is made sick by Kino’s good fortune.

5. “It is said that humans are never satisfied … It is one of the greatest talents the species has.”

(Narrator) (Chapter 3)

The narrator makes this comment after Kino says he not only intends to use the pearl to be married and buy new clothes and fishing equipment but also to buy a rifle. That Kino could have a rifle seemed previously an impossibility, but now he imagines the rifle, and from there goes on to imagine that Coyotito could become educated and free them all from oppression. The narrator observes how the human desire for progress may be rooted in dissatisfaction with the status quo. However, this dissatisfaction, according to the narrator, is what makes humans superior to animals that are seemingly satisfied with what they have. Coyotito could become educated and free them all from oppression. The narrator observes how the human desire for progress may be rooted in dissatisfaction with the status quo. However, this dissatisfaction, according to the narrator, is what makes humans superior to animals that are satisfied with what they have.

6. “These things will make us free because he will know … and through him we will know.”

(Kino) (Chapter 3)

Kino’s central desire is for his people to be set free of the trap of deception, abuse, and exploitation they have existed in since the Spanish conquered Mexico. To the assembled community, Kino announces his plan in the form of a prophecy. He will use the pearl to pay for Coyotito’s education. Coyotito’s literacy will then enable Kino’s people to access the truth themselves, and they will no longer have to accept the lies disseminated by those in power.

7. “He could not take the chance of putting his certain ignorance against this man’s possible knowledge.”

(Narrator) (Chapter 3)

Kino is suspicious of the doctor’s intentions when the doctor comes to Kino’s home to treat Coyotito after he finds the pearl. Kino’s senses and intuition tell him that Coyotito is already well and that the doctor has bad intentions, but the doctor traps Kino by telling him that scorpion victims often seem to recover before ending up crippled. Unwilling to take a chance with his son’s health, Kino lets the doctor address the baby’s situation.

8. “”Who do you fear?” Kino searched for a true answer, and at last he said: “Everyone.””

(Kino) (Chapter 3)

When the doctor comes to Kino’s hut with the intention of discovering the pearl’s hiding place, Kino realizes that everyone (including the priest) seems interested in his pearl. This evokes both fear and concern in Kino. He is now alienated from his community because he realizes that as long as he has the pearl, he can trust no one. His wife Juana, whose concerned questioning here prompts Kino’s self-examination and honest response, is his lone ally.

9. “Let us throw it back in the sea. It has brought evil. Kino, my husband, it will destroy us.”

(Juana) (Chapter 3)

After Kino fights off a robber during the night, Juana expresses her thoughts about the pearl to Kino for the first time. Juana sees clearly what the pearl is and what it will do, but Kino is blinded by his belief that the pearl can give their son a good education. Kino ignores Juana despite her insistence that the pearl might only bring evil.

10. “No one does less than his best, no matter what he may think about it.”

(Narrator) (Chapter 4)

The narrator says this after describing the pearl buyers’ cunning strategy. Although they do not stand to gain much personally by cheating the pearl sellers, they nonetheless do their best to cheat them. The same is true for every person, whatever their purpose in life may be, the narrator suggests.