What is the overall function of this chapter? What is the predominant imagery used to convey that function?

Steinbeck builds a sense of paranoia and imminent tragedy for Juana and Kino during this chapter, in which anonymous enemies threaten their safety. The men who attack Kino are never named and their origins are never revealed; although Kino suspects that they are the agents of the pearl dealers. This anonymity is significant, for the men who assault Kino symbolize a more generalized Œevil' than the specific villainy of the pearl dealer or the doctor.