What is the importance of The Pearl in the novel, Wild Houses?

The Pearl, Nicky's workplace, is a pivotal setting in the novel, symbolizing both normalcy and the disruption caused by criminality. As a place of employment and routine, it represents Nicky's pre-crisis life and her connection to a semblance of stability. The robbery of The Pearl signifies a profound violation of this stability, marking the onset of Nicky’s deeper entanglement in the criminal world. The Pearl's transformation from a place of routine to a crime scene highlights the novel's exploration of how quickly and drastically one's life can change due to the influence of crime and betrayal.