Question 12
Using the details from the novel that you have studied, write about:
· three moral values you have learnt
· for each moral value, state an event which teaches this value
The novel that I have read is 'The Pearl' by John Steinbeck. It is about a tragic tale of a young fisherman named Kino. He has found the greatest pearl in the world and has high hopes that it will make an impact in his family. In this story, I have learnt many moral values that are portrayed by the two main characters, Kino and Juana.
One of the lessons that I have learned in this novel is I must be willing to sacrifice for my loved ones. Throughout the entire story, Kino has always been guarding his family from harm. He is willing to sacrifice his own life just to protect his family. This can be shown when Kino and his family are escaping themselves from the three trackers that are “as sensitive as hounds.” (page 71). Kino is willing to go into the mountains alone so that Juana and Coyotito can hide from the trackers. This is shown in the quote, “I will go on and you will hide. I will lead them into the mountains...” (page 75). Kino takes the risk to kill the trackers himself to protect his family. He conquers his fears and turns into a terrible killer as he wants to protect his family. Kino slashes the watcher on the neck and chest with his knife as it is shown in the phrase “The great knife swung and crunched hollowly.” (page 84) Immediately, he strikes the second man with the back of his riffle on the head “like a melon” (page 84). Kino has become ‘as cold and dead as steel” (page 84) as he raises his riffle and fires at the third man as he scrabbles away. Kino shows no fear as he kills the trackers. All that he cares about is his family’s safety and wants to guard them from danger. Through Kino, I learnt that I must be able to make sacrifices to provide a good life for my family.
Another lesson that I have learned is that I must always have ceaseless determination in the things I do. Kino has a character of endless determination as he tries his best to protect the pearl as he knows that it will make a difference in his family. Although many bad judgements are made by the pearl buyers, Kino still stands firm and not be dampened by them. For example, the main pearl buyer states that the pearl is not valuable and known as a “fool’s gold” (page 48). Plus, the second buyer says that Kino’s pearl is too soft and chalky. Furthermore, Kino is determined to sell the pearl at a higher price even though many offers are made by the pearl buyers. The price of the pearl is raised to fifteen hundred pesos but Kino still perseveres to sell it at fifty thousand pesos. Without listening to the criticism of the pearl buyers, Kino snatches the pearl away quickly and walks away with a stout heart. He strongly says that he will sell the pearl at the capital and this causes the pearl buyers to realise that they had “played too hard.” (page 51). I learnt to always hold on to my own decisions and not be affected by other people.
Lastly, I also learnt to be a faithful and devoted companion to my spouse in the future. Sensing that the pearl is evil and bringing misfortune to the family, she tells Kino to get rid of the pearl before it is too late. This leads to her attempt to destroy the pearl without Kino knowing. However, her action is stopped by Kino and she is badly beaten up by him. Kino punches her in the face and kicks her in the side. Instead of defending herself, she just stares at Kino with “wide unfrightened eyes” (page 58) like “a sheep before the butcher” (page 58). She knows that there is murder in Kino but she accepts it, and she does not resist or even protest. Juana feels no anger towards Kino and realises that she cannot live without Kino and will follow him no matter how he treats her. After the terrible fight, Kino encounters an attack for the third time and the pearl has been knocked from Kino’s hand. Juana has a chance to throw the pearl back into the sea but she chooses to obey her husband and returns the pearl to Kino. Instead of running away, she hides the dead man that is killed by Kino into the shelter of the brush. She goes to Kino and sponges his face with her wet skirt as Kino is hurt badly. This proves that she still cares about Kino and still shows her faithfulness towards him even though Kino has treated her badly. Through Juana’s actions, I learnt that I must always be loyal and trustworthy to my family and friends.
In a nutshell, this novel has many lessons that are fruitful and applicable to my life. I have learned to be willing to sacrifice for my loved ones, always have ceaseless determination and be a faithful and devoted companion to my spouse in the future.
By: Huang Shen Shen (5 Amanah-2009)
