"The Pearl" by John Steinbeck is a sad story of greed and suffering, that shows how human nature can be altered by the thought of wealth and power. Kino, the main character of the story, finds a large pearl while he is fishing, and knows the pearl can bring his family happiness and security, because it is worth a lot of money. However, others in Kino's village find out about the pearl and want it for themselves, leading Kino's family to tragedy.
             Steinbeck's story is simple but eloquent, and illustrates the evil side of human nature. Kino wants to provide a better life for his family, and has noble goals for the money the pearl will bring, but his friends and fellow villagers want the riches for themselves, and repeatedly attempt to steal the pearl or cheat Kino out of what it is really worth. When it comes to wealth, they want it for themselves, and they will try to take it at any cost. Steinbeck's short, even terse sentences and vivid descriptions make the book and the characters come alive. For example, Steinbeck writes, "And word of the loveliness of Kino's pearl had come to them" (Steinbeck 47). His sentences are short and to the point, but they convey a lot of meaning, and give good portraits of the characters. The reader feels as if they know and understand the characters, and can feel their pain. He also writes of Kino's hopes for his family. He says, "For his dream of the future was real and never to be destroyed, and he had said, 'I will go,' and that made a real thing too. To determine to go and to say it was to be halfway there" (Steinbeck 69). Steinbeck has the ability to tell a compelling story with sympathetic characters, and it helps bring this book to life. The reader cannot help but hope that somehow Kino and his family will come out all right, and will live a happy, contented life. That is simply not to be, and the tragedy that befalls the family is all the more tragic because it is caused by the greed...