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RELIGION AS A TOOL OF OPPRESSION IN THE PEARL

The pearl is a story about pessimism written by John Ernst Steinbeck. In the book, John tackles various issues among them poverty, oppression, colonialism, and fate. 

Most of us subscribe to various religions, sometimes out of choice and majorly out of our parents' choice. Religion is generational, and those who choose different paths are called rebels or outcasts. Although the world has only several religions, such religions come with different sects which create sectarian extremisms and loyalty beyond our own imagining. Another thing that religion builds is fear for the deity. It is this fear that a lot of priests prey on to create loyalty and a stream of submissive souls who can do everything for them. John Steinbeck explores these issues in The Pearl in a compelling manner without any prejudice.

Kino’s people have their own religion based on the various traditions revealed in the book. However, it is the new religion that seems to command loyalty and supremacy. When the scorpion is about to sting Coyotito, Juana, the child’s mother says a Hail Mary while deep in her soul, she chants the ancient magic to guard against evil (pg21). What is also surprising is the fact that, after they had been turned away by the doctor, Juana prays that they should find a pearl which could pay for her child’s treatment. It really throws us off because we hoped that this new religion would be the direct conduit to healing but it turns out that the doctor’s medicine is much more trusted than faith.

This indicates to us that even though the people of La Paz have adopted the new religion, it does not satisfy their every need. It also opens a vista into how fragmented the new religion and culture brought by the Spanish colonialists is. In this new culture, everything fits in its rightful place. For instance, one can only hope for God to provide money for medication than direct healing. It is now the prerogative of the doctor to bring about the healing.

The priest is central to the manipulation of the people of La Paz, his words hold authority and the church is the pinnacle of all that is good. When Kino finds the pearl, his first thoughts are around the church and its rituals. He plans to get married in the church and also baptize his son Coyotito (pg44). This revelation shows to us that Kino’s people are poor and that the services of the church come at a heavy price. We can acknowledge this from page 27 where the doctor’s late wife “if masses willed and paid for out of her own estate could do it, was in heaven.”  

Kino and his people believe that all the misfortunes brought about them are caused when they rebel against the tenets of the society set by the church. According to the book, “Father had made it clear that each man each man and woman is like a soldier sent by God to guard some part of the castle of the universe.”(pg 68) With this in mind, the people of La Paz strived to leave according to the teachings of the church in order not to attract the wrath of God. They knew full well that they were being oppressed by pearl buyers but for the fear of attracting punishment from God, they let things stay the way they were. 

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