"The Pearl" by John Steinbeck

The Pearl
The story of The Pearl is about the life of an indigenous man and his people, and his struggles with the pearl of the world. There are three objects that are used as symbols, the scorpion, the pearl, and the canoe. Each represents a specific way of life that was experienced throughout the book.
The scorpion represents the song of evil. It endangers the family, and it is a foe. "...the Song of Evil, the music of the enemy, of any foe of the family, a savage, secret, dangerous melody..." (pg 6) The scorpion also represents troubles of the family, for its poison might infect Coyo…