The Pearl Review

'The Pearl' Review The Pearl (1947) is somewhat of a departure from some of  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹John Steinbecks earlier works. The novel has been compared to Ernest Hemingways The Old Man and the Sea (1952). The seeds of Steinbecks The Pearl began to germinate in 1940 when he was traveling in the Sea of Cortez and heard a story about a young man who found a large pearl. From that basic outline, Steinbeck reinvented the tale of Kino and his young family to include his own experiences, including in his novel the recent birth of a son, and how that exhilaration affects a young man. The novel is also, in some ways, a representation of his long appreciation of Mexican culture. He made the story into a parable, warning his readers of the corrupting influences of wealth.​ Be Careful What You Wish For... In The Pearl, Kinos neighbors all knew what good fortune could do to him, his wife, and his new baby boy. That good wife Juana, they said, and the beautiful baby Coyotito, and the others to come. What a pity it would be if the pearl should destroy them all.Even Juana tries to throw the pearl into the sea to free them from its poison. And she knew that Kino was half insane and half god... that the mountain would stand while the man broke himself; that the sea would surge while the man drowned in it. But, she needed him yet, and she would follow him, even as he admits to his brother: This pearl has become my soul... If I give it up I shall lose my soul.The pearl sings to Kino, telling him of a future where his son will read and he may become something more than a poor fisherman. In the end, the pearl doesnt fulfill any of its promises. It only brings death and emptiness. As the family returned to their old house, the people around them said that they seemed removed from human experienc e, that they had gone through pain and had come out the other side; that there was almost a magical protection about them.

Chinese Flowers and Their Meanings

Chinese Flowers and Their Meanings Chinese flowers are a recurring theme in Chinese art and poetry. But without understanding the floriography -   the meanings associated with certain flowers  - the symbolism could go over your head. While some flowers represent seasons or months, others have symbolic meanings based on their Chinese names. Learn the importance of flowers in Chinese culture along with symbolism and taboos associated with some Chinese flowers. Iris On lunar May 5,  Irises  are hung over doors to repel evil spirits. The flower is also a symbol of spring, and eating them is said to prolong ones life. Magnolia Magnolias were once so precious, that only Chinese emperors were allowed to own them. They have also been used in Chinese medicine. Today, magnolias represent beauty. Peony Peonies are the flower of spring, also known as the queen of flowers. The flowers symbolize fame and wealth. Red peonies are the most desired and valuable, while white peonies symbolize young, witty, beautiful girls. Lotus The lotus is a flower that is steeped in Buddhist symbolism and is considered one of the eight precious things in the Buddhist faith. It symbolizes purity and coming out of mire unsullied.  The lotus is said to bloom in Beijing on lunar April 8, which is the Buddha’s birthday, and on lunar January 8, which is lotus day. The lotus is known as the gentlemans flower because it grows out from the mud, pure and unstained. It is taboo for a woman to sew in January, as she may have menstrual trouble, according to Chinese culture. Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemums  are one of the most  common flowers in China and are symbolic of autumn and of the ninth lunar month. The Chinese word for chrysanthemum is similar to  jÃ… «, which means to remain and jiǔ  which means long time. Therefore, chrysanthemums  symbolize duration and long life. Hibiscus The  hibiscus  is a popular Chinese flower that symbolizes fame, riches, glory, and splendor. The flower also can symbolize the fleeting beauty of fame or personal glory and is given as a gift to both women and men. Lily In Chinese culture, lilies are supposed to bring sons to a family; as a result, they are often given to women on their wedding day or on birthdays. The Chinese word for lily sounds like  bÇŽi hà ©, which is part of the proverb bÇŽinin hÇŽo hà ©, which means happy union for one hundred years. The flower is considered a good gift for all occasions and are said to help people forget their troubles. Orchid The orchid symbolizes love and beauty and can be a symbol of a married couple. The flower also represents wealth and fortune, and when placed in a vase, orchids symbolize unity. Other Flower Symbolism In addition to flowers and plants having their own symbolism, the color of a flower can also give it a special meaning in Chinese culture. For example, pink and red are colors of celebration, good luck, and happiness, while white is the color of death and ghosts. Sources Hibiscus Flower Meaning | Flower Meaning. (n.d.).  flowermeaning.com/hibiscus-flower-meaning/.