The Corruption of Wealth and Greed
The PearlExplores how the pearl, a symbol of wealth, corrupts everyone who comes into contact with it, from Kino to the doctor to the town.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Bearing strength in each eventdecreasingThe Pearl's Initial Promise
The Beautiful Object
The Pearl's Beauty
The great pearl is perfect as the moon. It captures light and gives it back in silver incandescence. It seems to promise everything.
The Dream of Wealth
Kino sees a future of marriage, education, and comfort. The pearl represents the American dream of upward mobility.
The Doctor's Greed
The Doctor's Motivation
The Poisoning
The doctor poisons Coyotito to create a need for his services. His greed overrides medical ethics.
The Corruption
The doctor, already wealthy, is corrupted by the desire for more. The pearl exposes his moral decay.
The Town's Venom
The Black Distillate
The Town's Reaction
The news of the pearl stirs up something infinitely black and evil in the town. Everyone becomes related to the pearl.
The Corruption of Community
The town swells with venom. The pearl corrupts the entire social fabric.
Kino's Obsession
The Hardening
Kino's Transformation
Kino becomes hard and suspicious. He strikes Juana when she tries to throw the pearl away. The pearl has corrupted his love.
The Soul of the Pearl
Kino says the pearl has become his soul. He will not give it up. Wealth has become an obsession.
The Violence
The Killing
The Pearl's Cost
Kino kills a man for the pearl. The desire for wealth leads to murder.
The Corruption Complete
The pearl has turned a peaceful fisherman into a killer. The corruption of wealth is absolute.
The Final Rejection
The Pearl's Ugliness
Kino Sees the Truth
Kino sees the pearl as gray and ulcerous. It is a malignant growth. He throws it back into the sea.
The Rejection of Wealth
Kino rejects the pearl and all it represents. The theme of corruption is resolved by renunciation.
After finding the pearl
Evening of the first day
Afternoon of the first day
After the first attack
The second night
Sunset of the third day
