The Pearl

The Pearl, the last short story in my collection of John Steinbeck works, is a parable of a poor man who finds a treasure which ultimately changes his life, but not for the better.

Upon finding the majestic pearl, the protagonist seeks to improve his lot in life by selling it for much wealth, moving to a big house, having a proper wedding in a big church and sending his infant son to school one day.

However, the pearl buyers will not afford much for what is obviously "The Pearl of the World". This is due much to their colluding which has for a long time cheated the poor pearl divers.

Obviously this is worth much as the others in the village take notice and try to steal it. This causes much trouble for the protagonist.

Steinbeck contends that it is only natural for man to improve his lot in life; wishing for a bigger house and a proper education for the child is common to man. Desire to improve on what we already have in life is what distinguishes man from animals, who are much unchanged since the beginning of time.

This philosophy of common strife for improvement runs afoul of the philosopher Albert Camus' contention that wanting something better in life than what we have not only leads to dissatisfaction, but it also detracts from enjoying what we do have. Camus might look at this work and find that the poor pearl diver should have been content with all he had, accepted the pearl as nothing special, sold it to the pearl buyers at their cheap price and in the process improving his lot a little. As it is, the diver sought to improve his station in life by great measures and thereby lost all he had.

While Camus' version might be a more beneficial outcome, Steinbeck's tale is ultimately more interesting. Good read - highly recommended.

Matt

The Red Pony

Okay, so today's blog involves yet another John Steinbeck story, "The Red Pony." (I have collection of short stories...stand by for "The Pearl".)

The Red Pony is basically an anthology of four brief tales of ranch living concerning the same family and their ranch-hand Billy Buck. Some of the stories are filled with the strife so focal to Steinbeck's rural masterpieces. Yes, this also takes place near Monterrey, California, Steinbeck's most favorite place in the world.

The work's protagonist is a young child, Jody and the lessons he learns through the troubles of life, and sometimes death.

Well worth the short time it takes to read.

Matt

The Moon is Down

John Steinbeck's 1942 novel "The Moon is Down" is a brief work about an unnamed occupied country and its likewise unnamed conquerers. Plainly the connection is the German army holding a country in northern Europe, probably Norway.

The story entails the troubles the occupiers have with keeping order and the frustrations of the conquered people.

The army in charge doesn't have any particular animosity for the locals, they just want order so that coal can be extracted from the mine. The locals, in turn, just want the oppressors to go home.

This is a powerful interest story of the people in a war overtaken land. The piece itself inspired resistance during WWII. While short, it has depth.

Matt

Tortilla Flat

So I've been reading more than a bit lately, and thought I'd discuss this gem I finished late last night. John Steinbeck's Tortilla Flat, like so many of his works depicts impoverished people trying to get by in the greater Monterrey, California area around the era of the Great Depression. I found the book moves at a dreadfully slow pace and urges one to put the book down and do something fun, over and over again. What can be gained by such a story? Well, while the plot was less than riveting, a few ideas can be gained.

1). The character named "Pirate" has buried treasure. What can we learn? Pirates ALWAYS have buried treasure.

2). Though this story takes place during the era of Prohibition, the characters inevitably trade whatever they have, borrow, or steal, for wine. What can we learn? Legislating against something does not make it go away. People just get sneaky.

3). The author makes light of the fact that the characters are lying, cheating, thieving bums, but have a certain adherence to their Catholic religion. Steinbeck isn't saying that religion is bad, for it does not pose detrimental effects on the characters. On the other hand, they do not gain anything by it, since they ignore basic tenants of the faith by the life they lead. I think what Steinbeck is saying here is that a half-faith is no better than no-faith; believing only when it suits you does you no good. St. James puts it best when he says, Faith without deeds is dead. (James 1:17)