In The Pearl by John Steinbeck, Chapter Two vividly captures Kino’s anticipation and anxiety as he searches for pearls. Here are five quotes that illustrate these emotions. Explain them in your own words.
- “Kino moved cautiously so that the water would not be obscured with mud or sand.”
- “Kino’s breath whistled in his nostrils and he tightened his muscles and tried to reach farther, to reach for the ultimate pearl.”
- “His eyes were shining with excitement, but his lips were drawn tight with tension.”
- “He was reluctant to open it. It was the moment before the great discovery, and he could not bear to let the pearl itself be exposed.”
- “The great pearl, perfect as the moon, lay in the curve of his palm, warm and alive in his fingers.”
These quotes collectively convey the mix of emotions Kino experiences, encapsulating his hope for a better future and the anxiety that accompanies the unknown.
