The Pearl - CHAPTER 4: THE PEARL BUYERS

1. The town as a living organism

• The town is portrayed as a living organism with a nervous system.
• The news that Kino is going to sell his pearl that day spread very quickly to the neighbours:

1. the fishermen
2. the grocers
3. the altar boys
4. the nuns in the town
5. the beggars
6. the little boys

• Most of all, the news reaches the pearl buyers who conspire a cheat the pearl fishers.
• We are shown a panaromic view of:

1. the natural environment: the estuary for the Gulf and the mirage of the distant mountain.
2. The beach: usually vibrant with human activities is now deserted and abandoned.
3. The brush huts: here the neighbours speculate on what each would do with the treasure like the pearl.

2. The Procession to the Pearl Buyers

• Kino and Juana dress themselves in their best rags, solemnly and carefully.
• The triumphal procession begins with Juan Tomas and Kino, followed by the others.
• Juan Tomas, the older brother, warns Kino to be careful and take care not to be cheated.

3. The Bargaining

• The pearl buyers wait, each in his office for Kino’s visit.
• One hypocritically jovial man plays disappearing tricks with a coin while he waits.
• The first buyer offers a thousand pesos for the pearl which he alleges is to large to be worth anything but a curiosity.
• Kino refuses and the buyer sends for the ‘independent’ buyers to confirm his opinion.
• Each players plays his assigned role in the farce. Confirming the first dealer’s opinion, offering five hundred as the lowest and fifteen hundred as the highest price.
• The pearl buyers went too far in their attempt to cheat Kino.
• Kino takes his pearl and announces that he will take it to the capital to sell.

4. In the Evening

• The neighbours gathered in their huts to discuss the event.
• They are divided in opinion as to:

1. the value of the pearl
2. the wisdom of Kino’s decision
3. the good faith of the buyers

• In his own hut, Kino suffers deeply
• He feels alienated.
• Juan Tomas visits Kino.
• He warns Kino that he is counting danger in defying a way of life and departs.

5. The Second Attack

• Kino is fearful of the night sounds as he sits brooding on his sleeping mat.
• Juana watches with concern.
• Kino, suddenly sensing evil outside, goes out with his knife.
• Juana follows with a hastily snatched stone from the fire place.
• There is brief struggle which leaves Kino wounded and semi conscious from a blow from an assailant who escapes.
• Juana warns him the pearl is evil and begs him to throw it away.
• He refuses and insists on selling it in the capital.