For instance, the good characters have names, and the bad characters have no names. In a parable, good and evil are clearly defined-everything is black and white, there are no shades of grey. 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. Although Spanish culture and Catholic rituals were forced upon the Indians, they fiercely held onto many of their spiritual beliefs, cultures, and customs of their various tribes. (Keeping people uneducated and dependent keeps them oppressed). In most cases, the Indians were not allowed to attend school or own land. The governing class was primarily made up of those of Spanish descent and the Roman Catholic Church, who, together kept the Mexican Indians at the bottom of the social hierarchy or social ladder. 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. As you read The Pearl, watch for details about the plant and animal life in the Gulf and the many metaphors (comparisons), images and themes Steinbeck uses which are connected to these details. Steinbeck developed this legend into the novel The Pearl. During this trip, Steinbeck heard about the legend of a Mexican fisher boy who had found an enormous pearl that brought him much misery. Origins: In 1940, Steinbeck set out on a sailing expedition to study the marine life in the Gulf of California, hoping to find universal patterns in marine species that would help him understand life in general. These themes are all evident in The Pearl. They represent the 'struggle' theme of his novels-principally the struggle between the poor and the wealthy, the weak and the strong, good and evil, and between cultures and civilizations.

As a result, many of the characters that he wrote about were down and out, isolated and oppressed. He discovered the harsh reality that these people were often treated poorly and without respect and had little means of defending themselves. 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. Although he was educated at Stanford University and became a celebrated writer, he never forgot his origins.

John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was born in Salinas, California, the son of poor parents.

The black pearl steinbeck