Nature plays an important symbolic role throughout the narrative. Why do you think Steinbeck includes so many references to nature?

The natural world represents how Kino sees his world. At the beginning of the story, Kino wakes and is contented. His natural world around him is calm: it is an extension of Kino's acceptance of his place in the world. After Kino finds his pearl, nature takes on more aggressive and violent tones. The pearl, once a beautiful part of nature, becomes the corruptor of men's souls.