The Pearl About John Steinbeck John Ernst Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, on February 27, 1902. His father, John Steinbeck, Sr. was the County Treasurer and his mother, Olive Hamilton Steinbeck, was a former school teacher. As a youth, he worked as a ranch hand and fruit picker. Steinbeck attended Salinas High School, and after graduating in 1919 Steinbeck attended Stanford University intermittently from 1920 to 1925. Originally an English major, he pursued a program of independent study and …showed first 75 words of 3553 total…

…showed last 75 words of 3553 total…there, you see an ordinary man, who loves his family and friends, give it all up to make him self richer. Through the selling of the pearl he dreams of how happy he will become. His son will become educated, he will buy material things for his wife and himself. However, this is no ordinary pearl that can be sold so easily. You see Kino giving up his life, dignity, and character to purchase happiness.