The Pearl Chapters 1-4 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the major events in chapters 1-2?

Coyotito gets bitten by a scorpion, so they go to the doctor but he refuses to help. Kino goes fishing and finds the pearl.

What do the family songs mean?

They represent the tradition of family and how the family 'should' feel.

Describe the morning before breakfast.

Kino woke up with Juana right at his side. He got up and watched the sunrise with a dog at his feet while Juana made food.

What happened to Coyotito while in his hanging box?

Coyotito was bitten by a scorpion on his shoulder. Signup and view all the answers

What surprising thing did Juana do after Coyotito was bitten by a scorpion?

Juana sucked the poison out of his shoulder. Signup and view all the answers

What are some differences between Kino's neighborhood and the doctor's?

In Kino's neighborhood, everyone lives in brush houses and fishes to survive. In the doctor's neighborhood, there were stone and plastered buildings, gardens, plazas, and bougainvillea. Signup and view all the answers

How does Steinbeck describe the character of the doctor?

He described his ignorance, his cruelty, his sins and appetite. He also called him a fat lazy doctor. Signup and view all the answers

The doctor said he has no time to 'cure insect bites for little Indians' and that he isn't a veterinary doctor. What does that mean?

This means that he thinks they are animals, since they are Indians. Signup and view all the answers

What are the major events of chapter 3?

Kino found the pearl of the world. He was trying to imagine what he would buy with the pearl. The doctor came to cure Coyotito, and someone tried to steal the pearl at night. Signup and view all the answers

To what does Steinbeck compare the news traveling through the town?

He compared it to how fast a little boy can scramble to tell news. He also compared it to women calling news over the fence. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the priest wonder whether he has baptized Kino's baby or married him?

He wanted to see this so then he can use it as an excuse to get a sum of money from the pearl. Signup and view all the answers

What was Steinbeck's purpose for having the doctor see himself sitting in a restaurant in Paris after hearing of the pearl?

Steinbeck wanted the readers to know what the doctor wanted so badly after possibly getting the pearl. Signup and view all the answers

How did Kino become everyone's enemy?

Every man wants to have the pearl and become lucky and rich just like Kino, so they all despise Kino because of this. Signup and view all the answers

How were the priest and the doctor similar in how they treated Kino?

As soon as they heard about the pearl, they started treating him very nicely. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Kino finally hide the pearl?

Kino hid the pearl in a hole he dug under his sleeping mat. Signup and view all the answers

What was Juana's opinion of the pearl and why?

After the person tried to steal the pearl, Juana said that the pearl will ruin them and she wants to destroy it. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the major events in chapter 4.

Kino was trying to sell the pearl but everyone was cheating him. He went to the capital and was attacked again. Signup and view all the answers

Who knew that Kino was going to sell the pearl? Be specific.

The whole village knew, but specifically Juan Tomas. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the arrangement the pearl buyers had made amongst themselves before Kino even came in.

The pearl buyers all knew what price they would offer, how high they would bid, and the method each one would use. Signup and view all the answers

What was the one thing that the pearl buyers were afraid to do?

The pearl buyers were afraid to lose Kino as a customer because they wanted his pearl. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the men before Kino who traveled to the capital to sell pearls?

People never see them again; they never return and get murdered most of the time. Signup and view all the answers

Why would a pearl buyer tell Kino his pearl was fool's gold?

He wanted him to think it was worth less than it actually was. Signup and view all the answers

Even though he is afraid, Kino is determined to go where?

He is determined to go to the capital. Signup and view all the answers

What song replaces the song of the family after the meeting with the pearl buyers?

The song of evil replaces the song of the family. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Kino that night?

Kino was attacked again and had a deep cut ranging from his ear to his chin. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'blustered' mean?

Talks too much. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'instinctive' mean?

Inner feeling. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'obscured' mean?

Can't see clearly. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'poultice' mean?

Homemade remedy. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'strenuous' mean?

Difficult. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'anxiety' mean?

Stress. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'luxurious' mean?

Very expensive. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'prophecy' mean?

Pre-warning. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'judicious' mean?

Wise decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'visualize' mean?

See clearly. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Major Events in Chapters 1-2

Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion, prompting Kino and Juana to seek medical help.
The doctor refuses assistance due to prejudice against indigenous people.
Kino discovers a large, valuable pearl while fishing.

Significance of Family Songs

Family songs reflect cultural traditions and the emotional bonds within Kino’s family.
They embody feelings of security, love, and belonging.

Morning Routine

Kino wakes up beside Juana, appreciating the dawn.
He enjoys a peaceful moment with a dog at his feet while Juana prepares breakfast.

Coyotito's Injury

Coyotito suffers from a scorpion bite on his shoulder while in a hanging box.

Juana's Response to Injury

Juana attempts to alleviate Coyotito’s pain by sucking out the poison.

Differences in Neighborhoods

Kino's neighborhood consists of brush houses and a fishing lifestyle.
The doctor's area features luxurious stone buildings, gardens, and plazas.

Description of the Doctor

The doctor is portrayed as ignorant, cruel, and lazy, reflecting his lack of compassion.

Doctor's Attitude Towards Indigenous People

His dismissive comment implies he dehumanizes the indigenous community, comparing them to animals.

Major Events in Chapter 3

Kino dreams of the future after finding the pearl; he envisions wealth and success.
The doctor visits to treat Coyotito, and Kino faces an attempted theft of the pearl.

News Spreading in Town

Steinbeck compares the rapid spread of news to a child eagerly sharing information.

Priest's Curiosity

The priest seeks to exploit Kino's potential wealth for monetary gain related to his spiritual duties.

Doctor's Ambitions

The doctor's thoughts about dining in Paris highlight his motives for seeking wealth through the pearl.

Kino's Increasing Isolation

Kino becomes an enemy in the eyes of the villagers as they covet the pearl and its fortune.

Similarities Between Priests and Doctors

Both approach Kino with feigned kindness upon learning about the pearl's discovery.

Kino's Hiding Spot for the Pearl

To protect it, Kino buries the pearl beneath his sleeping mat.

Juana's View on the Pearl

After a theft attempt, Juana perceives the pearl as a source of destruction and desires its destruction.

Major Events in Chapter 4

Kino attempts to sell the pearl but is met with deceitful offers.
He decides to go to the capital, facing renewed attacks.

Knowledge of Kino's Intentions

The entire village knows about Kino's intention to sell the pearl, notably Juan Tomas.

Pearl Buyers' Conspiracy

Pearl buyers coordinate their prices and schemes before Kino’s arrival to manipulate him.

Pearl Buyers' Fear

They fear losing Kino as a customer, highlighting their greed and dependence on his pearl.

Fate of Previous Pearl Sellers

Previous individuals who traveled to the capital often vanished or met deadly fates.

Deceptive Tactics of Pearl Buyers

A buyer suggests Kino's pearl is fool's gold to lower its perceived value.

Kino's Determination

Despite fear, Kino is resolute in his decision to sell the pearl in the capital.

Change in Family Song

The song of evil emerges after Kino’s unsettling encounter with the pearl buyers, eclipsing the family’s song.

Kino's Nighttime Attack

Kino suffers a deep cut on his face after being attacked, escalating the conflict surrounding the pearl.

Vocabulary Highlights

Blustered: Talking excessively.
Instinctive: Relating to innate feelings or reactions.
Obscured: Difficult to see or understand.
Poultice: A homemade remedy applied to relieve pain.
Strenuous: Requiring substantial effort.
Anxiety: Feelings of stress or worry.
Luxurious: Describing something very expensive or lavish.
Prophecy: A forewarning or prediction.
Judicious: Characterized by making wise decisions.
Visualize: To see or imagine clearly.

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Description

Dive into the key events and themes of the first four chapters of 'The Pearl'. This quiz covers major plot points, character relationships, and significant moments that shape the story. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their understanding of Steinbeck's narrative.