Stienbeck is often associated with a movement in writing called naturalism.Naturalists believed that man does not have frre will: rather man's fate is determined by large social and economic forces he cannot control. What is the lesson to be learned?

Kino behaves like an archetypal strong male figure who has basically won a lottery. Unfortunately there are external forces at play that prevent his from realizing any of his dreams. Kino is subject to the destiny of his people imposed by European imperialism. Kino cannot take advantage of his pearl because the hierarchy of society is embedded in the socio-economic structure of his surroundings.