Literary Analysis - The Pearl
Name: ________________________
Class:
2
4
5
7
Objectives:
Show understanding of one of the themes in John Steinbeck’s novel The Pearl by communicating a
complete and thoughtful analysis in a well-developed paragraph.
Directions:
Write a well-developed paragraph in response to ONE of the topics on The Pearl by John Steinbeck
listed below. Use the directions and the example from The Old Man and the Sea (below) as a model
to guide you in the writing of this literary analysis paragraph. Your paragraph must include a topic
sentence responding to the selected topic, three reasons for your response, and specific support and
a quote from the text for each reason. All MLA guidelines must be followed, including in-text
citations for the required support taken from the text.
Due Dates:
Draft (Google doc)— Tuesday, April 8th
Final (printed)— Wed., April 9th
Topics:
(Select one)
1. Discuss the difference between fate and man’s free will and the roles they play in
Steinbeck’s novel.
2. Through Kino’s experience with the pearl, he discovers evil. Discuss the way in which
this awareness changes him and his life permanently.
3. Explain the following description of Kino: “He had lost one world and had not gained
another. And Kino was afraid.”
Grading:
Literary Analysis Paragraph (50 points) + Steinbeck Watercolor Words (50 points) = 100 points
Rubric:
☐ Following Directions (see below):
☐ Paragraph Development / Content:
☐ Mechanics—spelling, capitalization, grammar:
Total:
_____ / 15
_____ / 20
_____ / 15
_____ / 50
Directions for Writing a Well-Developed Paragraph:
I. Write a strong topic sentence that expresses your stance/opinion on the topic. Your topic
sentence should include the title and author of the text.
Example Topic- Why did Santiago go out so far into the sea?
Topic sentence: In Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and The Sea, Santiago’s desire to prove
that he is not “unlucky” leads him to go out too far into the sea.  Type topic sentence in bold.
II. Your second sentence should begin with “For example” (bold print) and be followed by one
reason that supports your topic sentence.
III. Add facts (specific details from the text) that support or explain your reason. As a summary,
use a quote (italicize) from the book to substantiate your point and use in-text citations. Use
the phrase, “This shows that…” (bold print) and give your explanation of the quote.
 Italicize quote.
IV. State a second reason that supports your topic sentence. Use the same technique for the
second reason as you did for the first reason (above). This time, begin your sentence with
“In addition” (bold print) and type this transition word in bold.
V. Do this again for the third reason, but begin your sentence with “Furthermore” (bold print).
Type this transition word also in bold.
VI. Write a summary sentence (or two) that strongly supports your topic sentence. Begin this
sentence with “Therefore” (bold print). Type this transition word in bold.
*****************
Model of the paragraph template:
Topic: Why did Santiago go out so far into the sea?
(From The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway)
Santiago’s Voyage
In The Old Man and The Sea, Santiago’s desire to prove that he is not “unlucky” leads him to
go out too far into the sea. For example, Santiago has not caught a fish in 84 days. The old man is known
as great fishermen, and his reputation is at stake. “But after forty days without a fish the boy’s parents told
him that the old man was now definitely and finally salao, which is the worst form of unlucky…”
(Hemingway 9). This shows that Santiago has to prove to the boy, his village, and to himself that he is not
unlucky. Consequently, he goes out so far to catch a fish that he finds himself in unfamiliar waters and can
no longer see the shore or the lights of the city. In addition, the old man stays out for four days without
coming into shore. “Only I have no luck anymore. But who knows? Maybe today.” (Hemingway 32).
This shows that Santiago is confident that his lack of catching a fish is simply because of bad luck and is no
reflection on his skill. Furthermore, Santiago continues to remain confident that his luck will change.
“Eighty-five is a lucky number.” (Hemingway 16). This shows that Santiago is determined to change his
luck and catch fish no matter how long it takes. Therefore, it is very apparent that Santiago’s need to
change his luck resulted in him going out too far into the sea.
Topic sentence—Take time to craft a fabulous topic sentence:
Reason #1 Specific detail (page#):
Specific detail (page#):
Quote (page #):
Reason #2 Specific detail (page#):
Specific detail (page#):
Quote (page #):
Reason #3 Specific detail (page#):
Specific detail (page#):
Quote (page #):