At one point in the John Steinbeck's novella, Kino tells
his brother Juan Tomas, "The pearl has become my soul." What he means by this
observation is that the pearl has taken over his existence; all that Kino thinks about,
all that he lives for, is the pearl in the hopes of changing the social and economic
condition of his family's life.
However, with the pearl
having become his soul, Kino has lost his identity and separated himself from his family
unit by stepping outside to fight intruders, and by separating himself from the
community who could have shared in his wealth as well as protected him. Then, after the
assaults upon him and his boat, Kino becomes
an animal, for hiding, for attacking, and he
lived only to preserve himself and his
family.
But, without the aid
of others of his own kind, Kino's stubbornness foils his chances for wealth, and,
instead, tragedy strikes him as his obstinance and the oppressors reduce him to less
than a man. Having upset the natural order of his group, Kino must return the pearl,
that Juana perceives as evil, to the ocean so that they may readapt to their
community.
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