57 pages • 1 hour read
John SteinbeckThe Pearl
Fiction | Novella | YA | Published in 1947A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
John Steinbeck's The Pearl garners mixed reviews. Praise highlights its lyrical prose, compelling moral dilemmas, and vivid portrayal of human greed. Critics, however, mention the narrative's predictability and simplicity. Despite varying opinions, it remains a thought-provoking novella exploring complex themes with timeless relevance.
Who Should Read The Pearl?
Readers who appreciate The Pearl by John Steinbeck are typically drawn to compelling moral dilemmas, richly detailed settings, and poignant social commentary. Fans of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men or Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude would likely find similar enjoyment in this novella.
RecommendedReading Age
12+yearsLexile Level
1010LBook Details
American Literature
Classic Fiction
Allegory / Fable / Parable
Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Society: Colonialism
Education