Voice Against Social Oppression in Steinbeck'sThe Pearl

Abstract

John Steinbeck, in his novelThe Pearltries to show the psychological and physical conflicts. Kino,theprotagonist of the novel, is always oppressed by the higher class, rich people and so-called high tribe. He struggles against it from the beginning to the end. His answers or solutions to the problems are guided by violence which is his voice against the social discrimination and oppression. Pearl comes as a tool to fight.At the end of novel, he flings the pearl which shows his strong voice against social oppression.Theconflict of the novel moves to violence and thecause of conflict is the class division between theoppressorsand oppressed. It is seen throughout the novel. So, the theory of Marxism has becomeanappropriate tool here to analyze it.