The Pearl - Chapter 1 Essential Questions

In this chapter, we have been introduced to our main characters as well as we have been given a crucial hint by the author, Steinbeck, about the purpose of this novella in the short little prologue before chapter 1 begins. We are also thrust into the conflict with the inciting moment of the story, the stinging of Coyotito by the scorpion. Being a novella, the story won't waste time and gets right into the action.

We are also thrust directly into the underlying tension of the story, a conflict much more powerful and, arguably, more deadly than the conflict faced by the scorpion. Already we are presented with the deep resentment between the indigenous peoples and the Europeans.

In your groups, I would like for you to consider the following 4 essential questions. These 4 questions are for thought and might not have 1 specific, easy answer. On the papers you've been given, I would like for you to sketch out your thoughts (this can be bullets, etc.) before you record a response to the questions via the FlipGrid link below. Use the thoughts which you sketched as a group to inform this discussion. Just so you are aware, these videos will be available for everyone to view. If you are unable to do it in class, one from your group can record the video as a representative of the group, using the information you discussed in class.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1. Inspect the prologue...why do you think that Steinbeck would give us this information at the start, before we even begin reading? How does this set us up for the reading of this story and what predictions might you make from the prologue alone?
2. Chapter 1 introduces us to the idea of the "songs" that Kino perceives as part of the world around him. We encounter the "Song of the Family" and the "Song of the Enemy" in this chapter. What do you make of these "songs" and the place that they hold in Kino's life and in the life of his people? What do you make of the fact that "his people had once been great makers of songs so that everything they saw or thought or did or heard became a song. That was a very long ago. The songs remained; Kino knew them, but no new songs were added" (pg. 1). Why are there no new songs?
3. The inciting moment, the entrance of the scorpion, has a great dividing effect on chapter 1. Describe how the atmosphere of the story has changed. Use specific references from the text. In other words, how does the world of the story change with the coming of the scorpion?
4. When Kino arrives at the door of the Doctor's place, we read that "as always when he [Kino] came near to one of this race, Kino felt weak and afraid and angry at the same time. Rage and terror went together" (pg 5). Based on the Doctor's reaction to Kino's request, is this a warranted reaction by Kino? Is there anything different that Kino should've or could've done?