The Pearl, written by John Steinbeck (1948), is a novella describing lives of a Red Indian family who had been mistreated by the Spanish since their ancestors. The story began with a misfortune befallen Coyotito, and proceeded by the discovery of the Great Pearl of the World, after which evil things continually occurred to the family. Juana was the main female character of the story. She actively played very significant roles since the beginning till the end of The Pearl.
The first key role Juana played was a devoted mother, who was willing to do anything to save her son. Illustrated in the novella, after Coyotito had been stung by the scorpion, she, without thinking of her own life, sucked and spat the puncture again and again to avoid the poison spreading to the other parts of the baby’s body. So as to ensure the baby’s life, she also did the most ever surprising thing in her society – demanding Coyotito to be sent for the doctor. She knew that it would be impossible, but as a mother, she did not give up any chance to save her son. The Quote, “Then we will go to him,” (Steinbeck, 1948, p. 7) is what she said to the crowded neighbors, showing that she was strongly determined to recuing Coyotito in all possible means.
Besides, Juana functioned as “a pillar of strength for her husband” (http://www.shmoop.com/the-pearl/charactors.html). She always assisted Kino both physically and emotionally. As depicted in the story, when going to find the pearls, she did not uselessly sit still but coordinately drove the double-blade paddles with Kino. While Kino was diving down the sea, she superstitiously made the magic prayer for him to find a pearl, and meanwhile, she was also keeping the canoe still so that it would not flow away. In addition, Juana was always with her husband to give him support and strength. “He felt a little tugging at his back, and he turned and looked in Juana’s eyes, and when he looked away he had renewed strength,” (Steinbeck, 1948, pp. 48-49) is a quote from The Pearl, displaying that whenever Kino was in terrible situation and lost confidence and power to struggle with, Juana was the most important person he needed to give him back courage and strength.
However, these roles were not highly valued by either her husband, or society. For example, Kino and Juana equally put their effort to find the great pearl so both of them must have equal right to own it. Nonetheless, it seemed like only Kino had ownership on it. Kino always kept and decided what to do with it. Moreover, in the family Juana did not seem to have any right to make decisions. It was Kino who held this authority. The quote, “We will, Father. And we will be married now. Kino has said so,” (Steinbeck, 1948, p. 27) presents apparently that unless it was the Kino’s decision, she could not be married. What she could do was just to give suggestions to Kino, yet they were taken for granted. Another quote, “...they were not walking in single file, Kino ahead and Juana behind, as usual…” (Steinbeck, 1948, p. 84) also illustrates the inequality in society, specifically referring to Juana’s inferiority to Kino. In short, no matter how she had contributed to the family, she was poorly appreciated, for she was a WOMAN who was supposed to be obedient and submissive to MAN.
All in all, The Pearl reflects gender bias in society through the roles of Juana and Kino. As a woman, Juana was supposed to be passive and submissive, yet she had given great assistances to both Coyotito and Kino. She was always a very devoted mother and wife. She was the source of wisdom and strength, keeping the family alive. She was so strong a woman who was not weakened by such social inequality, and therefore undoubtedly deserved a name of “the Super-Women of submissive housewife” (http://www.shmoop.com/the-pearl/charactors.html).
By Veng Rachana
Reference
Steinbeck, J. (1948). The pearl. London: William Heinemann.
Juana character analysis. (2009). Shmoop University. Retrieved November 25, 2009, from http://www.shmoop.com/the-pearl/charactors.html
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