'Grey and Ulcerous' | The Pearl

“He looked into its surface and it was grey and ulcerous” with close reference to the Pearl, write an essay explaining how the pearl could be said to be grey and ulcerous.

 INTRODUCTION

When Kino gets the pearl of the world he has high hopes that it will transform his life and that of his life family for the better. Unfortunately for him the pearl turns to be the cause of his misfortunes. This as illustrated in the arguments below.

 The doctor – When the doctor learnt that Kino Had the pearl of the world he decides to try his lack at benefiting from it. He declares that Coyotito is a patient of his and visits Kino with the intention of treating the boy and getting the pearl as his payment. When he realizes that that Coyotito had recovered from the scorpion sting,he resorts to poisoning him. This caused Kino and his wife a lot of agony as they fear for their son since the doctors treatment worsened Coyotito’s condition (pages 41, 50, 52-53)

 Pearl buyers \ Kino finds himself faced by the exploitative pearl buyer who are set reap maximally from his pearl. The buyers conspire beforehand to offer a low price for Kino’s fortune. For a pearl expected by Kino to raise 50 thousand piaster he is only offered a possible 150 piaster’s. He is greatly disappointed and opts not to sell to them (Pages 64, 67 – 75)

 Broken relationship – it was expected that the pearl would strengthen the relationship between Kino and his wife Juana. Kina had hoped that he would wed his wife in church. The Pearl does the opposite. The cordial relationship between Kino and his wife is strained. When Kino realizes that Juana had intended to throw away the pearl he beats her. This is after Juana realizes that the pearl is evil and could bring them trouble .(page 80)

 Kino who is described by the neighbors as a good man in the end gets transformed into a murder because of the pearl. On his way from stopping Juana from throwing the pearl into the ocean he is attacked by someone who fights and kills. This necessitates his movement into a place of safety. He also kills the three trakers who follows him when he goes to sell the pearl.(pg 65).

 The pearl of the world which was admired by many and which had many dreams to Kino baptism and education of Coyotito, church wedding and  new clothes Caused Kino physical injuries and peace of mind when he is attacked at night e.g. after failure to sell the pearl and after the doctors visit.

 Kino ends up losing his Canoe (a hole is made), His house(burnt down) and his only son is shot dead.

 Conclusion

The pearl which was a source of hope for Kino ends up causing him pain as illustrated in the points above