The Pearl Summary

Kino, Juana and their baby son, Coyotito, reside in a humble waterfront home. Disaster befalls when Coyotito is stung by a scorpion. They rush to the town doctor in panic, but are denied treatment due to their inability to pay. Later, the couple goes pearl diving to make ends meet, during which Kino finds an enormous pearl. The entire community gathers to celebrate the discovery while Kino envisages how the wealth will transform his family’s life. Eventually, the doctor appears at Kino’s doorstep claiming to have been unavailable earlier, offering to treat Coyotito now. After the doctor’s visit, Kino hides the pearl beneath the hut flooring. This alludes to the doctor, instilling a feeling of unease in Kino.

A tense situation develops when an intruder tries to steal the hidden pearl, leaving Kino injured during the encounter. Juana, shaken by this incident, insists on getting rid of the pearl, viewing it as a harbinger of misfortune. Ignoring her pleas, Kino plans to sell the pearl in the city the following day. His brother cautions him about deceitful buyers, a warning that proves to be accurate when all the buyers try to underbid on the pearl. Kino declines their offers and plans to sell it in the capital instead. During the night, Juana attempts to discard the pearl into the sea, leading to a violent altercation where Kino overpowers her and repossesses the pearl. He then faces a group of attackers trying to seize the pearl, which results in a fight that leaves a man dead.

After this bloody confrontation, Kino and Juana decide to flee town. Upon their return home, they find their house burnt down. They seek refuge at Kino’s brother’s house while planning their escape to the capital at night. They realize they are being tracked and lead the trackers astray by going up a mountain. As the trackers camp for the night, Kino seizes the chance to attack them but is foiled when Coyotito cries and draws their attention. A rifle shot from one of the trackers kills Coyotito. The grief-stricken parents return to town the next day, with Juana carrying her deceased son. At the shore, Kino throws the pearl back into the sea, symbolizing the end of their tribulations.