John Steinbeck and The Pearl

These flashcards focus on key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on John Steinbeck and his work 'The Pearl', providing definitions and explanations relevant for study purposes.

John Steinbeck

An American author known for his works focusing on social issues and the plight of the common man, including 'The Grapes of Wrath' and 'The Pearl'.

The Pearl

A novella by John Steinbeck, published in 1947, exploring themes of wealth, greed, and the American dream through the story of Kino and his discovery of a great pearl.

Kino

The protagonist of 'The Pearl', a poor fisherman who finds a valuable pearl and faces the resulting challenges.

Juana

Kino's wife in 'The Pearl', who represents traditional values and often cautions against the dangers of wealth.

Coyotito

Kino and Juana's infant son, whose welfare is a driving concern for Kino throughout the novella.

The American dream

A set of ideals that suggests prosperity and success are achievable through hard work; critiqued in 'The Pearl'.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities; for instance, the pearl symbolizes wealth and the associated corruption.

Greed

An intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth; a central theme in 'The Pearl'.

Biblical references

Allusions to biblical stories, such as the 'pearl of great price', which highlight moral dilemmas in Steinbeck's narrative.

Setting

The environment in which the story takes place; 'The Pearl' is set in a coastal village in Mexico.

Conflict

The struggle between opposing forces; in 'The Pearl', this includes Kino's internal conflicts and external conflicts with societal forces.

Materialism

A focus on material possessions over spiritual or ethical values; critiqued through characters' actions in 'The Pearl'.

Social commentary

A critique of society's issues; Steinbeck uses 'The Pearl' to highlight class issues, exploitation, and moral decay.

Irony

A literary technique where words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning; present in Kino's fate.

Foreshadowing

A literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story; found throughout 'The Pearl'.

Tradition vs. change

A theme exploring the tension between maintaining traditional values versus adapting to new societal pressures in 'The Pearl'.

Realism

A literary style that attempts to represent subject matter truthfully without idealization; used by Steinbeck in depicting Kino's life.

Allegory

A narrative that serves as an extended metaphor; 'The Pearl' is seen as an allegorical tale about wealth and its consequences.

Destruction of innocence

A theme showing the loss of purity and integrity; depicted through Kino and Juana's journey in 'The Pearl'.

Nobel Prize

An award Steinbeck won in 1962 for his contributions to literature, recognizing his impact as an author.

Poverty

The state of being extremely poor; a key backdrop and driving challenge in 'The Pearl', influencing Kino's decisions.