Chapter 1
What does Kino’s reaction to the scorpion sting tell us about him?
A) He will do anything to protect his son.
B) He stays calm and trusts nature to help him.
C) He is unsure of how to react and is worried.
D) He is afraid of losing his place in society and needs help from the doctor.
A) He will do anything to protect his son.
What is the significance of Kino's canoe in the story?
A) It symbolizes Kino's connection to his ancestors and his way of life.
B) It represents Kino's desire for wealth.
C) It is a symbol of Kino's desire to escape from society.
D) It is a gift from the doctor.
A) It symbolizes Kino's connection to his ancestors and his way of life.
What does Kino plan to do with the money from the pearl in the town?
A) Buy a new house
B) Pay for Coyotito’s medical treatment
C) Purchase new clothes for Juana
D) Send Coyotito to school
D) Send Coyotito to school
D) Send Coyotito to school
Define "avarice".
(Oxford Languages)
What is the primary setting at the beginning of the novel?
A) A city by the sea
B) Kino's small brush house
C) A schoolhouse
D) A marketplace
B) Kino's small brush house
What is the main event in the chapter?
Kino finds "The Pearl of the World".
What is Kino’s reaction when the doctor refuses to treat Coyotito initially?
A) He is resigned and accepts the situation
B) He asks for help from other villagers
C) He becomes angry and attacks the doctor
D) He leaves the town to seek help elsewhere
C) He becomes angry and attacks the doctor
(Oxford Languages)
Who is the first character to notice the scorpion in the novel?
A) Kino
B) Juana
C) Coyotito
D) The doctor
B) Juana
What does Juana pray for in this chapter?
Steinbeck states "[Juana] had not prayed directly for the recovery of the baby - she had prayed that they might find a pearl with which to hire the doctor to cure the baby, for the minds of people are as unsubstantial as the mirage of the Gulf".
The news of Kino’s pearl spreads quickly. Describe the reaction of 3 people.
Reaction 1
Reaction 2
Reaction 3
Descriptions may vary.
Define "pulque".
A Mexican alcoholic drink made by fermenting sap from the maguey.
(Oxford Languages)
Why does Steinbeck compare Kino’s brush house to the doctor’s house?
A) To show how simple Kino’s life is compared to the doctor’s luxurious life.
B) To highlight Kino’s lack of education compared to the doctor.
C) To show Kino’s desire for wealth.
D) To show the physical distance between the two homes.
A) To show how simple Kino’s life is compared to the doctor’s luxurious life.
What new 'song' is introduced?
The Song of the Pearl.
What makes Juana want to throw away the pearl?
Juana wants to throw away the pearl because she sees it bringing nothing but trouble and danger to their family. She believes that the pearl is cursed and that it has caused nothing but greed, violence, and misfortune, especially after Coyotito's injury and the increasing threats they face. She wants to get rid of it to restore peace and safety to their lives.
Define "cozened".
trick or deceive.
(Oxford Languages)
What does Steinbeck mean by "Kino hesitated a moment. This doctor was not of his people"? Why does he hesitate to see the doctor?
Steinbeck uses this line to show that Kino feels a difference between himself and the doctor because they come from different social classes and cultures. Kino hesitates to see the doctor because he knows the doctor looks down on him and his people, and he does not want to be treated poorly.
What is happening in this quote: "She gathered some brown seaweed and made a flat damp poultice of it". What does Juana do with the poultice and why?
Juana applies the poultice of seaweed to Coyotito’s wound after he is stung by the scorpion. She does this in an attempt to heal him and protect him from infection, using traditional knowledge and good remedies to care for her son, probably better than the doctor could have done.
Find a quote in this chapter that proves how Kino feels trapped by his own ignorance?
Answers may vary.
Define "appraiser".
A person whose job is to assess the monetary value of something.
(Oxford Languages)