The Pearl

What conflict is reaveled in chapter 4? How did the characterization of the pearl buyers, the neighbors and Kino impact the conflict development?

Chapter 4

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In La Paz, the entire town knew that Kino was going to sell the pearl that day. Kino's neighbors speak of what they might do with the pearl. Everybody knows the pearl's worth. Everybody in town wants a peace of the Pearl's riches. Everybody knows the Pearl buyers want to cheat Kino out of his fortune: the question is by how much? Steinbeck calls the town a "living organism" all reacting to the Kino's fortune and the pearl. This develops the heighten conflict Kino and Juana must endure while Kino has the pearl.