“The Pearl” Reflection

What is the meaning of this parable?
How do we read our own life in this book?

I think the meaning of this parable is that, wealth brings greed to people. When I was reading this parable, starting with the part where Kino returned with the pearl, I read or felt the greed in the people. From the middle of the parable, Steinbeck starts to describe about the neighbors’ eyes on the pearl, and I just thought that he was trying to explain what wealth brings in people’s minds.

Also, by reading this parable, I am assured that wealth doesn’t always bring happiness to people. I say this because ever since Kino brought the pearl back to his home town, all he faced was trouble. Because of the pearl, Kino ended up killing a person (by accident), and by killing the person, his family had to leave the town, and leaving his home lead Coyotito to death. Just because of one thing, wealth, Kino’s family faced misery.

In this parable, I relate my own life with the neighbor. I’m a person, and other people’s wealth brings me greed. Whenever my friend ends up with a good ending, I don’t seem to congratulate her because of my greed. Just like the neighbors around Kino, I don’t get satisfied with other people’s success.

Although I relate to the neighbor, somehow I relate to Kino as well. When I get a jack pot like Kino’s finding of the pearl, I am relieved and happy at first, but as time passes, I get tight around me, and self defended.

Through this story, I think that Steinbeck is trying to tell the readers what wealth brings.