Author: John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was born in Salinas, California the son of poor parents. Although he was educated at Stanford University and became a celebrated writer, he never forgot his origins. Growing up in working class towns, he became an excellent observer of human nature and later wrote about the people he lived around–– workers including Mexican-American and migrant workers. He discovered the harsh reality that these people were often treated poorly and without respect and had little means of defending themselves. As a result, many of the characters he wrote about were down and out, isolated and oppressed.
The Pearl was published in 1947.
Setting: The events of The Pearl take place sometime around the early 1900s on an estuary (mouth of the river) somewhere on the coast of Mexico in the town of La Paz. On a map the long peninsula which descends from California is called BAJA CALIFORNIA. A peninsula is a piece of land that sticks out into the water but is still connected to the land. It's not quite an island because an island is totally surrounded by water. Baja California is part of Mexico. It is separated from the rest of Mexico by the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez.
Historical Background and Social Culture: At the time the story takes place, the Indians of Mexico had already been under the domination of people of Spanish descent for 300 years. The governing class was primarily made up of those of Spanish descent and they kept the Mexican Indians at the bottom of the social hierarchy or social ladder. In most cases, the Indians were not allowed to attend school or own land. Keeping people uneducated and dependent keeps them oppressed. The Indians of Mexico fiercely held onto many of their spiritual beliefs, cultures, and customs of their various tribes.
Style: The Pearl is a short novel or novella which is told in the form of an allegory or PARABLE––a short, simple work with little dialogue illustrating a lesson or a larger truth often on the subject of good and evil. In a PARABLE, good and evil are clearly defined––everything is black and white, there are no shades of gray. The characters and action symbolize certain universal ideas or concepts and the readers attach their own meaning to these symbols.
1 Where did John Steinbeck go to college?
2 What is an estuary?
3 What is the other name for the Gulf of California?
4 What is the long peninsula which descends from California called?
5 At the time that this story takes place, where were the Mexican Indians in the social hierarchy?
6 What is another name for an allegory?
7 Does keeping people dependent assure that they are lifted up or oppressed?
8 Is the town of La Paz on the coast or in the center of the country?
9 In what country does this story take place?
10 Who is the author of The Pearl?
11 What year was the book published?
12 What is a parable?
13 Were Steinbeck's parents poor or wealthy?
14 Is La Paz on the coast or the interior of Mexico?
15 What is a peninsula?
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