“Steinbeck illustrates the tragic consequences of losing this freedom of spirit in The Pearl, expressing deep sympathy for the individual and community suffering under a such an oppressive system. .” (Perkins). In The Pearl, John Steinbeck describes feeling great empathy for those who do not have freedom of spirit. This tragic effect causes individuals to suffer in an oppressive system. The main reason for his writing of The Pearl is to give voice to the working class who sometimes do not have this freedom. He explains throughout the novel the unfortunate experiences that Kino endures. Kino abused the power of the pearl and caused oppression and disruption to himself and the community. In The Pearl, Steinbeck shows that Kino cannot escape oppression through Juana's thoughts, the development of the pearl, and the doctor's cultural superiority. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Steinbeck uses Juana's thoughts and emotions to show that cinema cannot escape oppression. Kino let his visions take over his reason and Juana says, “She had no anger towards Kino. He had said, “I am a man,” and that meant certain things to Juana. This meant he was half mad and half god. This meant that Kino would direct his force against a mountain and plunge his force against the sea. Juana, in her woman's soul, knew that the mountain would stand while the man broke; that the sea would rise while man would drown in it.” Juana understands Kino's masculinity. Kino cannot help but fight the forces beyond him because he is a man and that is his nature. He is blinded by the greed and evil that has corrupted his life and that of his family. Juana realizes that she cannot escape her oppressed state and that everything will soon be destroyed. The quote uses metaphors comparing Kino's strength to mountains and seas. This means that Kino will not surrender until he achieves his goals and vision for his family, which will soon cause oppression. This can be further explained by stating: "Kino has entered a sort of moral twilight zone in which his physical strength reveals his moral weakness." Juana may be the person lying in the water, but it is actually Kino who fell in the most important sense of the word, and the comparison of Kino to a snake – the traditional symbol of evil – seems perfectly appropriate” (Pearl). Kino's moral weakness becomes evident when he realizes that he cannot fight the supreme forces around him. The pearl has transformed Kino into a mean and selfish person, and he cannot escape it. Kino cannot see the unfortunate causes of his actions and will bring oppression to his family when he loses everything of value in his life. Juana knows the horrible path Kino is heading towards, but she realizes there is nothing she can do because Kino is a man and has some authority over her. Steinbeck uses the development of the pearl to show how Kino cannot escape oppression. Juana says: “The pearl is like a sin; it will destroy us.” The Pearl of the World has a very high price but also involves a great sacrifice. In the beginning, the pearl was used as a symbol of hope and salvation. Kino sees the pearl as an escape from his status in society and his visions were very ambitious. The pearl then became a symbol of evil in the world because it seems that greed resurfaces in the presence of evil. The pearl will soon destroy everything of value in his life. Steinbeck uses a simile to compare.”