Chapter 4-6
1.) According to the stout pearl buyer, why is there no market for Kino's pearl? What does Kino accuse the dealer of trying to do?
According to the stout pearl buyer, there is no market for Kino's pearl because it's too big and thinks no one would want anything of that size.
2.) How does Kino react to the buyer's offer of 1,500 pesos? How do Kino's neighbors react to his decision?
Kino reacts to the buyer's offer of 1,500 pesos as a joke because he thinks that the pearl buyers are cheating him and he becomes mad. Kino's neighbors wonder why Kino didn't take his offer because it might be the only one he gets.
3.) What happens to Kino's boat? To his house?
Kino is too absorbed in the pearl that when they get attacked and have to leave their boat has a hole in it and all of a sudden his house is lit on fire.
4.) Reread the paragraph in which Kino describes the sermon that the priest gives every year. What does the priest mean when he says that "each one must remain faithful to his post and no go running about..."? How does this statement relate to social structure of Kino's society? What are some of the "posts" or fixed divisions in Kino's society? Why might the priest make this statement?
When the priest says this he means that everyone should keep their promises and never turn their back on them. This relates to social structure of Kino's society because it's a small town and they all get along well, but the pearl has started a huge revolution. The priest might make this statement because he notices what goes on and what people do.
5.) Why did the plan of Kino's ancestors to use an agent to sell their pearls fail? What characteristic of the stout pearl buyer is revealed by the way he plays with the coin? What happens to the coin when Kino shows him the pearl? What does this reaction suggest?
The plan of Kino's ancestors to use an agent to sell their pearls fail because the buyers were not of any help to Kino because they were offering low amounts and then supposedly were sending people in to rob the pearl. The characteristic that is revealed by the way he plays with the coin is he is overconfident and thinks that everyone is wasting his time. The stout pearl buyer drops the coin when Kino shows him the pearl. This reaction suggests that the pearl buyer was astonished with the pearl and probably thought he could trick Kino into selling it for a low price.
6.) Why do Kino and Juana return to La Paz instead of proceeding to the capital? Why does Kino throw the pearl into the sea? Why is it significant that Kino and Juana return to La Paz walking side by side? Is their return a defeat, a triumph or both?
Kino and Juana return to La Paz instead of proceeding to the capital because they have no other reason of going to the capital anymore. Kino throws the pearl into the sea because he FINALLY realizes that it was bad luck for him and his family. It is significant that Kino and Juana return to La Paz walking side my side because it shows that they stuck together from the very beginning and that they will always stick together no matter what.
7.) What forces are to blame for the misfortune that befalls Kino and Juana?
The forces that are to blame for the misfortune that befalls Kino and Juana are the fact that Kino kept the pearl and that Kino tried to come up with a plan to keep the pearl and sell it.
8.) In your opinions, could Kino and Juana have found happiness through the pearl? In my opinions, Kino and Juana could not have found happiness through the pearl because there are still so many things that could have happened that made things worse.
9.) Do you think Kino is in any way responsible for Coyotito's death?
I absolutely think Kino is in a way responsible for Coyotito's death because if he had just either sold or thrown away the pearl in the first place, everything would still be normal, but everyone would be alive and alright.
VOCABULARY:
Chapter 4:
Countenanced - to approve or encourage something
Stalwart - to be very strong and brave
Legerdemain - a trick or deception
Spurned - to treat with contempt or rejection
Lethargy - to be drowsy or sleepy, dull
Chapter 5:
Skirled - a loud shrieking noise
Exhiliration - to feel revived or joyous
Keening - something sharp or strong
Leprosy - a disease that affects the nervous system, skin, and nasal mucosa
Chapter 6:
Sinister - to be evil or dark
Guttural - a harsh sound made with the throat
Monolithic - made by something solid like a rock
Irresolution - not being resolved
Escarpment - a cliff or ridge on the land
Petulant - to show an irritation or annoyance of something
Intercession - asking for something for someone else
Germane -to be closely related
1.) According to the stout pearl buyer, why is there no market for Kino's pearl? What does Kino accuse the dealer of trying to do?
According to the stout pearl buyer, there is no market for Kino's pearl because it's too big and thinks no one would want anything of that size.
2.) How does Kino react to the buyer's offer of 1,500 pesos? How do Kino's neighbors react to his decision?
Kino reacts to the buyer's offer of 1,500 pesos as a joke because he thinks that the pearl buyers are cheating him and he becomes mad. Kino's neighbors wonder why Kino didn't take his offer because it might be the only one he gets.
3.) What happens to Kino's boat? To his house?
Kino is too absorbed in the pearl that when they get attacked and have to leave their boat has a hole in it and all of a sudden his house is lit on fire.
4.) Reread the paragraph in which Kino describes the sermon that the priest gives every year. What does the priest mean when he says that "each one must remain faithful to his post and no go running about..."? How does this statement relate to social structure of Kino's society? What are some of the "posts" or fixed divisions in Kino's society? Why might the priest make this statement?
When the priest says this he means that everyone should keep their promises and never turn their back on them. This relates to social structure of Kino's society because it's a small town and they all get along well, but the pearl has started a huge revolution. The priest might make this statement because he notices what goes on and what people do.
5.) Why did the plan of Kino's ancestors to use an agent to sell their pearls fail? What characteristic of the stout pearl buyer is revealed by the way he plays with the coin? What happens to the coin when Kino shows him the pearl? What does this reaction suggest?
The plan of Kino's ancestors to use an agent to sell their pearls fail because the buyers were not of any help to Kino because they were offering low amounts and then supposedly were sending people in to rob the pearl. The characteristic that is revealed by the way he plays with the coin is he is overconfident and thinks that everyone is wasting his time. The stout pearl buyer drops the coin when Kino shows him the pearl. This reaction suggests that the pearl buyer was astonished with the pearl and probably thought he could trick Kino into selling it for a low price.
6.) Why do Kino and Juana return to La Paz instead of proceeding to the capital? Why does Kino throw the pearl into the sea? Why is it significant that Kino and Juana return to La Paz walking side by side? Is their return a defeat, a triumph or both?
Kino and Juana return to La Paz instead of proceeding to the capital because they have no other reason of going to the capital anymore. Kino throws the pearl into the sea because he FINALLY realizes that it was bad luck for him and his family. It is significant that Kino and Juana return to La Paz walking side my side because it shows that they stuck together from the very beginning and that they will always stick together no matter what.
7.) What forces are to blame for the misfortune that befalls Kino and Juana?
The forces that are to blame for the misfortune that befalls Kino and Juana are the fact that Kino kept the pearl and that Kino tried to come up with a plan to keep the pearl and sell it.
8.) In your opinions, could Kino and Juana have found happiness through the pearl? In my opinions, Kino and Juana could not have found happiness through the pearl because there are still so many things that could have happened that made things worse.
9.) Do you think Kino is in any way responsible for Coyotito's death?
I absolutely think Kino is in a way responsible for Coyotito's death because if he had just either sold or thrown away the pearl in the first place, everything would still be normal, but everyone would be alive and alright.
VOCABULARY:
Chapter 4:
Countenanced - to approve or encourage something
Stalwart - to be very strong and brave
Legerdemain - a trick or deception
Spurned - to treat with contempt or rejection
Lethargy - to be drowsy or sleepy, dull
Chapter 5:
Skirled - a loud shrieking noise
Exhiliration - to feel revived or joyous
Keening - something sharp or strong
Leprosy - a disease that affects the nervous system, skin, and nasal mucosa
Chapter 6:
Sinister - to be evil or dark
Guttural - a harsh sound made with the throat
Monolithic - made by something solid like a rock
Irresolution - not being resolved
Escarpment - a cliff or ridge on the land
Petulant - to show an irritation or annoyance of something
Intercession - asking for something for someone else
Germane -to be closely related