The Pearl - Chapter 5 Essential Questions

At the end of chapter 4, Kino has rejected the paltry offers of the pearl buyers and stormed home in a righteous rage of indignation about the "system" that he lives in. He is determined to go with Juana and Coyotito to the capital and sell the Pearl there.

1. Throughout this chapter, we see Kino’s descent into an defensive animal. How specifically do we see this (give some references) and how does this play into the animal imagery portrayed thus far in the story? Where in the story does he become fully animal (Hint...after this event the story says, “he was an animal now, for hiding, for attacking, and he lived only to preserve himself and his family.”)
2. Consider the character of Juana after her husband physically abused her. What does it say about her and Kino’s relationship that there “was no anger in her for Kino. He had said: ‘I am a man’ and that meant certain things to Juana”.  Is this a healthy relationship and respect for a man? Is this too, somewhat bound to the time-period and culture to which this story is set? How has your opinion of Kino changed? What about for Juana?
3. What convinces Juana and further drives Kino’s determination to leave La Paz and sell the Pearl elsewhere? Why was the “killing of a man...not so evil as the killing of a boat?” 
4. At the end of chapter 5, Kino says in answer to Juan Tomás’ question about whether or not he will give up the Pearl that “this pearl has become my soul...If I give it up I shall lose my soul” (p. 35). How has the Pearl and what it symbolized changed? Perhaps tie it into Kino’s thoughts on the Pearl earlier on the page: “I might have been given it as a gift, but now it is my misfortune and my life.” Are we convinced Kino intends to sell the Pearl, even if he makes it to the capital?