Kino's Transformation from Fisherman to Killer

Charts Kino's descent from a peaceful family man into a violent, desperate fugitive capable of killing.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Peaceful Fisherman

Kino's Identity The Canoe and the Sea Kino is a fisherman, proud of his canoe inherited from his grandfather. He is young, strong, and content. His world is small but whole. The Song of the Family His inner life is governed by music: the Song of the Family, the Song of the Undersea. He is in harmony with his environment.

First Act of Violence

Striking the Gate The Doctor's Refusal When the doctor refuses to treat Coyotito, Kino strikes the iron gate with his fist, splitting his knuckles. This is his first violent response to oppression. The Rage Kino feels rage and terror together. He could kill the doctor more easily than talk to him. The seed of violence is planted.

Defending the Home

The First Attack Kino Fights Back An intruder attacks Kino in his house. Kino springs with his knife, but is struck on the head. He is wounded but fights back. The Hardening Kino feels a shell of hardness drawing over him. He is becoming wary and dangerous. The peaceful fisherman is receding.

Killing a Man

The Second Attack The Stabbing Kino is attacked again. He stabs his attacker, feeling his knife go home. He kills a man for the first time. The Aftermath Kino is dazed. He mutters that he struck to save his life. But the act changes him. He is now a killer.

Becoming an Animal

The Broken Canoe The Final Blow Kino finds his canoe smashed. He feels an evil beyond thinking. He becomes an animal, living only to preserve himself and his family. The Loss of Humanity Kino is no longer the man who sang the Song of the Family. He is a machine for survival, capable of anything.

Cold-Blooded Killing

The Trackers The Attack Kino strips naked and creeps down the rock. He kills the watcher with his knife, then shoots the other two with the rifle. He is cold and deliberate. The Machine Kino has become a terrible machine. He feels no remorse, only the need to survive. The transformation is complete.

The Return

The Broken Man Carrying Fear Kino returns to La Paz with a rifle across his arm. The people say he carried fear with him, dangerous as a rising storm. The Shell of Hardness Kino is immune and terrible. His song has become a battle cry. The fisherman is gone; only the killer remains.

Throwing Away the Pearl

The Final Act Kino's Choice Kino throws the pearl into the sea. He has lost everything: his son, his home, his innocence. The transformation is irreversible. The Aftermath Kino stands side by side with Juana, but he is a hollow man. The pearl has taken his soul.

Before the pearl

Morning of the first day

Late that night

That night

Before dawn of the third day

Evening of the second day

Late afternoon of the third day

Sunset of the third day