The Pearl
The movie The Pearl, based on the novel by John Steinbeck, was filled with much symbolism. It was very interesting to watch how one thing could stand for so many different things in the eyes of not only the viewer, but the characters as well.
Throughout the film, I saw that the pearl meant many things. At the beginning, the pearl itself obviously represented wealth and riches to come. It also stood for hope to Kino because the pearl would provide education for his son, a rifle for himself, and shoes for his wife. However, the most important symbol of the pearl was freedom. The pearl would make them rich and hopefully it would help Coyotito in the future because it would free him from poverty and being ignorant as many villagers were. Later as the story continued, Juana began to think of the pearl as destruction. Though at first Juana was just as excited about the pearl as Kino, she later realized that the pearl was hinting towards a very lonely death. When at first the pearl had been a vision of a better life, it changed into a symbol of destruction.
The sea, I believe, was meant to be seen as a surprise box. This might be because when Kino dives into the water looking for pearls he finds the treasure. Another symbol that the sea could represent is the beginnings and endings of things in life. This is because when Kino found the pearl in the sea it was like beginning a new life, however with every beginning there must be an ending and in this story it was a rather tragic finale. Also, the couple themselves had much symbol in the story because they were in love. Their love was a symbol of strength and being together in the good times as well as the bad times. Yet, Kino changed because of the pearl. When Juana stole the pearl to throw it into the ocean, Kino hit her even though he is supposed to love her. It was as if Kino was breaking off from the family. Juana, however, keeps it all in a way down to earth. She is the one who prefers to keep...