John Steinbeck Oppression
"If that is so, then all of us have been cheated all of our lives."(27) The Pearl by John Steinbeck exhibits the oppressions faced by the native people, during the colonial era in Mexico. The natives are socially and economically oppressed by the settlers and their religion. Juana is socially and economically oppressed because of her dependability on Kino. The natives are also socially and economically oppressed, by the lack of proper education These different types of oppression are not only what fuels Kino’s decisions, but other character’s as well.
Every year the priest gives a sermon on everyone in La Paz’s place in life. How god has everyone placed in a station, and they must stay remain there to protect the “Castle of the Universe”. …show more content…
If Coyotito is educated then his people will be educated through him, releasing them from the cycle of ignorance and poverty. Kino points out this fact when he says, “‘And my son will make numbers, and these things will make us free because he will know-he will know and through him we will know.’”(13) Kino also points out how vital education is during an argument with Juana, when he says “‘Our son must go to school. He must break out of the pot that holds us in.’”(20) Kino and Juana did not have the opportunity for an education, so they did not have the proper resources to do more then make the best of where they are. Also by making the choice of keeping the pearl, the opportunity cost is their safety.
To conclude, in The Pearl, Steinbeck shows how social and economical oppression affects a person's decisions. Due to social oppression, Juana would submit to Kino’s choices, and he did not feel the need to see the merit in her thoughts. Due to economical oppression Kino was more desperate to keep the pearl, because in his mind it was his only chance to properly educate his son. Due to the religious influence placed upon the natives, they felt compelled to “guard” their part of the “castle”. Ultimately, the choices characters made in the text, were caused by oppression whether it was economically or
Every year the priest gives a sermon on everyone in La Paz’s place in life. How god has everyone placed in a station, and they must stay remain there to protect the “Castle of the Universe”. …show more content…
If Coyotito is educated then his people will be educated through him, releasing them from the cycle of ignorance and poverty. Kino points out this fact when he says, “‘And my son will make numbers, and these things will make us free because he will know-he will know and through him we will know.’”(13) Kino also points out how vital education is during an argument with Juana, when he says “‘Our son must go to school. He must break out of the pot that holds us in.’”(20) Kino and Juana did not have the opportunity for an education, so they did not have the proper resources to do more then make the best of where they are. Also by making the choice of keeping the pearl, the opportunity cost is their safety.
To conclude, in The Pearl, Steinbeck shows how social and economical oppression affects a person's decisions. Due to social oppression, Juana would submit to Kino’s choices, and he did not feel the need to see the merit in her thoughts. Due to economical oppression Kino was more desperate to keep the pearl, because in his mind it was his only chance to properly educate his son. Due to the religious influence placed upon the natives, they felt compelled to “guard” their part of the “castle”. Ultimately, the choices characters made in the text, were caused by oppression whether it was economically or