How greed for fortune consumes all in society, including the pious priest

The Pearl by John Steinbeck presents a simple story with a few characters that send forth a vital message to the reader. An earlier article had discussed Kino, Juana and the doctor. This article will focus on the priest, who is a key character to the culmination of the parable.

In society, religious leaders occupy a very pivotal role as they embody spirituality and all that is moral. On the other side, the priest in the novel comes off as a travesty of all that he should stand for.

The author uses him to expose the rot that is masked in religious garb. This article will also handle an essay question.

The priest in the novel is greedy and materialistic. When he gets news about the pearl, he starts planning on how to get it. The news came to him while he was walking in his garden and put a thoughtful look in his eyes and a memory of certain repairs necessary to the church. He wondered what the pearl would be worth. He also wondered whether he had baptised Kino’s baby or married him for that matter. The priest visits Kino that evening and tells him: "Thou art named after a great man and a great father of the church." He makes it sound like a benediction. He tells Kino that his namesake tamed the desert and sweetened the minds of the people as written in the books.

GREAT PEARL

The priest says that it had come to him that he had found a great pearl. Kino opens his hand to show him the pearl and the priest gasps at the size and beauty of the pearl. He tells him to remember to give thanks to him who had given him the treasure and pray for guidance in the future.

When Juana says that they will be married in church, he says that it was pleasant to know that their first thoughts were good. He blesses them and leaves quietly (pg. 48).

This speech is meant to ensure that Kino gives to the church and in the process the priest benefits, too.

The priest is contemptuous and prejudiced. He considers Kino and his people as children and he treats them as such. He has used religion as a tool of oppression against the natives of La Paz.

He has a sermon that he preaches annually, where he encourages everyone to stay faithful to their stations since the loss of the pearls was a punishment to those who try to leave. He makes it clear that each man and woman is like a soldier sent by God to guard some part of the universe. (pg.68).

He emphasises that those who tried to leave left the castle vulnerable to assaults from hell. He does this in a bid to propagate colonial oppression and to make sure the natives do not try to improve their lives lest they rebel.

In conclusion, learners can explore further on character and character analysis as this is just a highlight.

Sample Essay Question

‘Greed is the root of all evil.’ With illustrations from John Steinbeck’s The Pearl, write an essay to show the validity of this statement.

Immense desire for something can make people engage in immoral and wicked behaviour. In The Pearl, this greed and desire for wealth is evident in the doctor, the pearl buyers and the trackers.

The doctor is greedy and materialist and stops at nothing to get what he desires. The doctor had refused to treat Coyotito earlier. When he gets news of the pearl, he declares Coyotito his patient who he is treating for a scorpion sting. The doctor reminisces about Paris. The doctor visits Kino and claims he was not in earlier when they came to see him. Kino says that the baby is nearly well but the doctor says that the poison sting has a curious effect; there will be apparent improvement and then it attacks without warning. He knows that Kino’s race loved the tools of trade and trusted them.

The doctor then looks at the baby’s wound and says that the poison has gone inwards and will strike soon. He says the eyeball is blue, thus he will give the child something to turn the poison aside. He says the poison will attack within the hour and the medicine will save the baby. He leaves and says he will be back in an hour. The doctor comes later and treats the child. He inquires when and how the bill will be paid. Kino says when he sells the pearl. He pretends not to know about the pearl and offers to keep it safe for him. He tells Kino that it could be a shame to have it stolen before he sells it (pg56).

The pearl buyers are greedy and materialistic. They ensure they negotiate and give the lowest price the fishermen can stand. When they get news about the pearl, they conspire to cheat Kino. The man at the desk tells Kino that the pearl is like a fool’s gold, too large thus a curiosity. He calls in other dealers. The first dealer refuses to place an offer and calls the pearl a monstrosity. The second dealer says that better pearls are made of paste. He says that this one being soft and chalky will lose its colour and die in a few months. The third dealer says he will offer 500 pesos and sell it at 600 to his client (pg74).

The trackers are also greedy and materialistic. They follow Kino’s family all night and are as sensitive as hounds. One of them has a rifle ready to attack and get the pearl. They follow him into the mountains and down the valley and are ready to attack. They shoot and kill Coyotito in the process. Their determination to catch up with Kino is driven by greed.

The evil perpetrated by the doctor, the pearl buyers and the trackers is driven by greed.

The writer teaches at Alliance Girls High School. [email protected]