The Pearl

Steinbeck shows the deep love shared by the couple in a few different ways. The first would be the roles they play.... Kino the masculine man, and Juana the submissive housewife. For some, this depiction would seem like bias.... what they fail to see is the subtle descriptions of Juana's strength and the way she silently stands for her own beliefs.... as well as the ways in which Kino defers to her.

The depth of their feelings is also shown through their mutual love for Coyotito, as well as the way they bond together after Coyotito's death..... the endurance of their relationship. In our culture, we often see couples separate at the first signs of trouble..... Kino and Juana are two parts of a whole. They stick together and go on.

Kino had wondered often at the iron in his patient, fragile wife. She, who was obedient and respectful and cheerful and patient, she could arch her back in child pain with hardly a cry. She could stand fatigue and hunger almost better than Kino himself. In the canoe she was like a strong man.

The two came from the rutted country road into the city, and they were not walking in single file, Kino ahead and Juana behind, as usual, but side by side. The sun was behind them and their long shadows stalked ahead, and they seemed to carry two towers of darkness with them.