John Steinbeck's The Pearl provides a disparaging insight into the destructive nature of greed. The story is a relatively brief tale of a Native-American family living in an oppressive colonial society. Kino, the protagonist, lives with his wife Juana and infant son, Coyotito. The story's plot is simple yet well-constructed: Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion and desperately needs medical attention. However, the community doctor, refuses to tend to the dying child unless provided with proper compensation. Luckily, Kino makes a brilliant discovery, recovering what is dubbed "The Pearl of the World." Soon after, he begins to make extensive plans for the family's future, all motivated by his newfound greed. However, as his wife Juana repeatedly suggests, the great pearl could lead to misfortune rather than happiness. Kino disregards his wife's counsel and resorts to violence as the sole means of overcoming the adversity that the pearl has...