The Pearl: Sample Answer 5

Choose a character in the novel “The Pearl” who shows that he/she is a determined person. Give evidence from the novel to support your answer.

The character who shows that he is very determined in the story is Kino. Kino is the main character in the novel “The Pearl”. He shows qualities that make him different from the other characters as he is a very determined person who wants to take his family out from the clutches of poverty. Kino’s actions and his thoughts show us that he is very determined to change the order of life. He is determined to break out from the life trap in which his people have been living for a very long time. He wants to move away form being poor and without opportunities to a better life for the good of his family and people.

In the novel, Kino is determined to get a pearl that would bring fortune so that he is able to engage a doctor to treat Coyotito, who is stung by a scorpion. When he finds the world’s greatest pearl, he visualises him and his family members wearing fine clothes. He sees the pearl as a ticket to a greater life ahead, and wishes to educate Coyotito.

When Kino goes to La Paz, which is a pearl trading town to sell his pearl, he realises that the pearl buyers intend to cheat him. He defies them and plans to go to the capital to sell his pearl. This shows that he is a determined person and aims to achieve his goals by overcoming obstacles.

Even after he is attacked three times by intruders, who are out to get his pearl, he fights back and is determined to keep his pearl. He keeps reminding himself that the pearl is the only way for him and his family to have a bright future, and intends to safeguard both the pearl and his family from evil men.

When Juana insists that they dispose the pearl as it is evil and would destroy them, Kino refuses to listen to her and is determined to hold on to the pearl. He tells her that they would sell the pearl and the evil would be gone. He wishes to sell the pearl to get money to educate Coyotito and tell Juana that Coyotito must break out of the pot that holds them in. Kino is far-sighted and knows the importance of education although he and his people are illiterate.

When Juan Tomas tells Kino that the pearl brings evil and it is dangerous to have it, Kino shows how determined he is in keeping it. He tells his brother that he will go to the capital to get the best deal for the pearl. Even when Juana persists that the pearl is evil, Kino is determined to win and achieve his goals. His determination is very clear.

Kino is determined to kill the trackers as he knows that they are ruthless killers who would kill them anytime to get the pearl. He edges like a slow lizard down the smooth rock shoulder to attack the trackers. In the end, Kino is so determined to get rid of the pearl and throws the pearl back into the sea, as he realises the evil side of the pearl.
Abam Kie

Abam Kie is currently teaching English at a secondary school in Kelantan. He likes to write a blog during his free time to relieve his stress after teaching rowdy but good-natured teenagers. When he is not at school, you can find him taking care of his adorable daughters while reading some books, magazines and websites to equip himself with the latest TESL methodology.

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