The Pearl 2009

Sample Layout

2009-07-21T21:07:00.003+08:00

Dearest Students,

Once you have edited your work and is satisfied with the final product, please publish it using the layout below (scroll down to the previous post).

I have used Debbie's work as a sample here.

The title is the question number.
Highlight (bold) the question.
Highlight your main points.
Justify the paragraphs.
Highlight your name.

Thanks!

Question 5

2009-07-21T21:01:00.005+08:00

In the novel The Pearl by John Steinbeck, name the character or group of characters who are villainous. Write about them and show why you think they are so.

Every story has protagonists and antagonists. The protagonists would definitely be the heroes and the antagonists would be the villains. Characters of a villainous essence undoubtedly make a story all the more interesting and attractive. In the novel The Pearl, the appearance of villainous groups or character is absolutely foreseeable.

One of the characters that I think is villainous is the doctor. The doctor is a wicked and selfish person who cares more for money than the welfare of the people who seek treatment from him. After Coyotito is stung by a poisonous scorpion, Kino and Juana bring him to see the doctor in hopes of curing their son. The doctor initially rejects them but upon hearing the news that Kino has found the great pearl, he decides to pay Coyotito an unexpected visit. Instead of curing the sick baby, the doctor gives him a drink of three drops of ammonia which worsens his already severe condition. By doing this, the money-minded doctor hopes that he can charge a higher fee for his treatment. By his actions, I think that the doctor is a greedy man as he would go to any extent to get what he desires.

Besides that, I also consider the group of pearl buyers villainous. As soon as the news about Kino’s successful attempt in finding the remarkable pearl spreads, many pearl dealers start forcing Kino to sell the pearl to them. In the process of doing so, they plot schemes and tricks so as to manipulate Kino to give in to them. When he goes to town to sell the pearl, the group of pearl buyers works together, cooperating to cheat him. Even though they know that the pearl is very remarkable and is of great value, their criticisms about the pearl’s flaws is just enough to show that they are being pretentious. Their sole purpose of acting this way is so that they can offer very low prices for it. It is undisputed that Kino feels their evil intentions coagulating him. Fortunately, he was smart enough to judge the situation as he knows about their conspiracy, their secret agreement for the purpose of cheating him. After listening to much of their lies, Kino sets out to the capital where he feels is a better place to sell his pearl. In my opinion, what the pearl buyers are trying to do is very cruel as it is an act of depravity.

Also, I think that the trackers in this novel possess villainous qualities. The trackers are a group of three ruthless men who think of nothing other than brutally murdering another human being to get what they want. On their journey to the capital, Kino and Juana as well as baby Coyotito face the dangers that the trackers pose. The trackers are willing to take Kino’s family’s lives so that they can snatch the pearl from them. Kino has to lead his family to safety by going into the mountains and seeking refuge in a cave. The trackers are certain to kill Kino and his family when they are tracked. Kino then decides to kill one of the trackers any chance he gets. While in the cave, Juana tries her best to keep Coyotito quiet but to no avail as the trackers have already heard Coyotito’s cry. A tracker fires a shot and Kino attacks him, resulting in the tracker’s death. Kino then proceeds to kill the last two trackers with a rifle in desperation to protect his family. However, Kino soon learns the gruesome truth that Coyotito has die by that one shot and throws the pearl away. I find the trackers heartless in their act of achieving their goal, so much so that they commit merciless crimes.

In a nutshell, I know that the villains in this novel serve to create an atmosphere of tension, fear and impending doom so as to make this a wonderful story filled with drama and suspense.

By: Debbie Joyce Pious

Dear Readers

2009-07-12T11:47:00.012+08:00

Dear Readers,

If you are a student, I hope that you will find the essays here helpful in your study. I hope that by reading these essays, you will be encouraged to read and enjoy the novel proper and for you to find out what it is all about rather than to regurgitate what's already here ;). Then, hopefully, you will be more equipped to sit for the exam this November.

If you are a teacher, I hope that this will be helpful to you too in guiding your students. The format used here is not the only way to go about in answering Section D. However, this is what I use to guide my students. If you wish to adopt any of the students' work as a model for your students, feel free to do so but please acknowledge these students' work.

Happy reading and learning!

Sincerely,
Ms. T

Disclaimer

2009-07-12T11:47:00.008+08:00

This blog is meant to be an academic weblog that reflects the hardwork of my students. The works published here represent the students' own with some guidance. Inappropriate comments will be deleted at the author's discretion. I reserve the right not to publish comments with blatant signature URLs and / or the use of vulgar or inappropriate language.

Students of 5A

2009-07-12T11:11:00.023+08:00

There are 45 students in 5 Amanah 2009. They consist of 21 ladies and 24 gentlemen.

Here are the hunks and babes... ;)

Abbegail F. Peter George
Alister Lim
Allan Yong
Alwyn Ho
Amanda Tan
Amir
Cavan Foo
Chang Chee Tsung
Debbie Pious
Deroline David Wong
Edna Sheena Andi
Edrea Rumba Pan
Esther Tan Hui
Farid Izudin bin Rusli
Fion Jauw
Huang Shen Shen
Ian Lee
Jeffrey Chin
Johnson Wong
Lee Peiting
Melissa Michelle Yau
Mitran Kiandee
Mohd Azrie
Mohd Kamil
Mohd Jed bin Julaiman
Mohd Sharif
Nadia Aini
Nur Ain
Nur Aqilah binti Safar
Nur Wassidah binti Vasli
Raihan binti Anuar Batcha
Rebecca Lim
Saifuddin bin Mohd Tahir
Samantha Goh
Stephane Chang
Tan Hui Jade
Tan Wei Sheng
Tan Zhou Hong
Teoh Chia Pei
Tiffany Chak
Trudy Ong
Victor Wong
Wilbur Siew
Wong Ka Wah
Yong Xian Yung

Hi

2009-07-12T10:31:00.015+08:00

Dear Students,

Please post your blog address in the comments section of this particular post so that I can put up the links to your newly-created academic, not personal, blogs. Do not forget to identify yourself.

If you have yet to do so, please go to blogger.com and sign up for one. It is very easy. Just follow the step-by-step instructions.

Please let me know your blog address by Friday, 17 July 2009.

Happy blogging :) ... for academic purposes... :)

Sincerely,
Ms. T :)