The Pearl

Describe what Kino sees in the pearl just before he throws it into the sea. What is the meaning of what Kino sees? How is what Kino sees at this point different from what he saw earlier in the story

Thanks for any help .

Asked by
Last updated by jill d #170087
Answers 1
Add Yours

It was the size of a sea gull's egg. Juana reacted with awe and amazement at the sight of the great pearl, perfect and round and silver in the rays of the sun. Kino sees in the pearl a church wedding for him and Juana, along with fine clothes for the three of them. He sees also a new and fine harpoon made of iron. Then he sees something which at first seems an impossibility but which later lingers in his mind. He sees a rifle, a Winchester carbine. Finally he sees an education for Coyotito. And as Kino told the fellow fishermen in his hut all theses dreams, for the first time in a long time, perhaps, Juana sees Kino with eyes of admiration. She wonders at the great strength which emanates from Kino as he shares his dreams with the villagers.But then later when he looks at the pearl, the music suddenly becomes sinister and menacing. In the pearl he looks for his rifle and instead sees the dead body of the man he killed; and instead of a church wedding he sees Juana, beaten and dragging herself home; and instead of an education for Coyotito, he now sees the baby's feverish face. Yes, the song has become threatening now. Once they had reached the water's edge, Kino took out the pearl and looked on its surface once again. But this time it was no longer beautiful. It was "gray and ulcerous ... like a malignant growth." And in it he saw the light of burning fire; the terrified eyes of the man at the pool; Coyotito lying in the cave with the top of his head shot away. The music and the song which it emitted was now "distorted and insane." Kino took it and flung it with all his might into the distance of the ocean under the setting sun.

Source(s)

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081219154821AAb4SGc