9th Grade Summer Reading 2008
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Chapter One
What significance does repetition have in the lives of Kino and Juana?
Describe the song Kino hears in his head.
Compare Kino's and Juana's reaction to the scorpion.
Describe the doctor's reaction to Kino's request.
Chapter Two
How is the air described?
What is Kino's most valuable possession and why?
What new song does Kino hear in this chapter?
Describe Juana's and Kino's reaction to the oyster?
Chapter Three
How is the town described? How does it react to Kino's news?
How are Kino and Juana ignorant about the effect of their discovery?
What song does Kino hear in this chapter? When does he hear them?
What does Kino see in the pearl?
What does the description of the scene with the thief and Kino suggest?
Contrast Kino's and Juana's reaction to the pearl at the end of the chapter?
Chapter Four
Why are the pearl buyers excited about Kino's pearl?
What does Steinbeck mean when he says that a great deal can be learned about a man from the tilt of his hat?
What happened when the Indians attempted to market their pearls collectively?
What is the significance of squinting the eyes?
In the office, how does Kino see the pearl?
Why must Kino go to the capital?
Chapter Five
How has the pearl caused the relationship between Kino and Juana to deteriorate?
In the light of Juana's views on men and women, note other differences based on the characters of Kino and Juana.
How does Juana react to the murder?
Why is the destruction of the canoe a terrible crime?
Chapter Six
What songs does Kino hear in this chapter? When does he hear them?
What does Kino see in the pearl now?
Compare Kino's and Juana's reaction to the trackers.
How does the landscape contrast with the landscape at the beginning of the story.
How is the tracker's reaction to Coyotito's cry ironic?
How is Coyotito's death revealed?
How has the granting of Kino's wish become an irony?
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