Super Short Summary

The Pearl by John Steinbeck follows Kino, a poor Mexican pearl diver, who discovers an enormous pearl that he believes will transform his family's life. Instead, the pearl brings a series of escalating conflicts involving greed and violence as Kino attempts to protect his find and sell it for a fair price. Through Kino’s struggle, Steinbeck critiques themes like colonialism and the effects of wealth. Topics in this guide include domestic violence, murder, and gun violence against a child.