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
