The Pearl

Author: John Steinbeck

Genre: Novel

Publication Date: 1947

Overview

John Steinbeck’s novella The Pearl was first published in 1947, and it narrates the tale of a pearl diver named Kino. It explores his primal instincts as well as his greed, defiance of societal norms, and propensity for evil. It is believed that Steinbeck drew inspiration for the novel from a folk tale he had chanced upon on his visit to the formerly pearl-rich region of La Paz in Mexico.

The Pearl has been hailed as a major artistic triumph, emphasizing Steinbeck’s nuanced understanding and interpretation of human nature. The novel, however, received poor reviews later on. Although some critics believe that Steinbeck was able to portray genuine human suffering in The Pearl, several others have argued that the novella lacks insight and direction.

Steinbeck originally conceived of The Pearl as a movie script. In December 1944, he initially published it under the title The Pearl of the World. This version is also sometimes referred to as The Pearl of La Paz; many critics believe that this version served as the inspiration for the novella. Steinbeck published the novella in 1947 with Viking Press.

The Pearl Biography

The Pearl Background

The Pearl Characters

The Pearl Summary and Analysis

The Pearl Themes

The Pearl Quotes

The Pearl Discussion Questions