The Pearl can be seen as a parable of the danger of placing one’s hopes on one thing, no matter if it is material or emotional. The moment Kino finds the pearl, he dreams of how his life will change, of how his child will have the advantages that he never had. He sees his life differently, with the pearl as the means of fulfilling his new destiny. He retreats into himself, not trusting even...
The Pearl can be seen as a parable of the danger of placing one’s hopes on one thing, no matter if it is material or emotional. The moment Kino finds the pearl, he dreams of how his life will change, of how his child will have the advantages that he never had. He sees his life differently, with the pearl as the means of fulfilling his new destiny. He retreats into himself, not trusting even his wife to protect the pearl. He strikes Juana when she tries to throw it back into the sea, fearing that it has brought evil upon them. In a sense, it has.
The story is also a warning that the motives of others should not always be trusted. Kino sees through the interest of the doctor and the priest, as well as the dishonesty of the pearl merchants. “Trust oneself” is Kino’s new motto; others are out for themselves. Whether this is a desirable life lesson or not remains to be seen. Kino’s distrust leads him to murder out of self-defense, perhaps more quickly than was necessary. It is true that other people were after the pearl, but Kino is holding it so closely, and placing such hopes on it, that he reacts violently when it is threatened. This leads back to the main theme: don’t place your hopes on anything that might pass away, bringing evil (both from within and without).
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