A Description of Main Character Conflict in John Steinbeck’s Novel “The Pearl”

Abstract

This study aims to describe the main character in the novel “The Pearl” (1947) and his conflict between him and the other characters in the story. The method used is descriptive qualitative method of the dialog lines of the characters in the novel as the source of main data. Theory of Ignasi Ribo helps in understanding how to identify the characterization with five methods that are: speech, thoughts, effects, actions and looks (appearance) and can be easily remembered with the acronym STEAL. The result indicated that Kino is a determined and ambitious man, but also protective of his family. His character became more complicated because of a pearl he found. Kino was influenced by greed and unfortunately led his family into a tragic situation in the end.