Deep water essay

What would you do if you were under water, to shocked to think, and your legs wouldn’t move? Now that, would be scary, if that would have been me I would have kicked and screamed. Actually, I would probably never be in that situation, seeing as though I had taken swimming lessons since a year old to about 4th grade. Anyways, not many can say they’ve been in this situation, but in the nonfiction story called “Deep Water” the author, William O. Douglas brings back a childhood memory that has affected him in so many ways.


To be honest, I think it is a little weird that an eleven year old still has to wear water wings. My cousin wears water wings and she’s only two. Truthfully, that’s kind of sad. Then again, the only place to swim until he found the Y.M.C.A was the lake, which his mother clearly for bided William to go in. Once he got to the Y, he got pushed in, that got me wondering, “What the fail is that guys problem? I mean really! He shouldn’t go pushing kids in the pool and then not even save them.” Also once he went under, what happened to his legs? Why did they just stop? Was it fright, or just that his legs were stiff? Either way he should have kicked his way on up to the top.


William thought that after that experience, it would be his last time in the water. A short while later though, he realized it was starting to affect his life in ways he never thought possible. For one thing, he couldn’t go on fishing trips without having to constantly worry about the water. After he realized this was starting to become a problem, it was time to take it to therapy. I thought that was really smart of him. Even though this author had a bad experience before, no adult should be scared of water, water is what makes us live. At least after therapy William conquered his fear.



In this story it shows a lesson and that is to conquer your fear. Don’t let it rule your life. Facing fears might be scary, hence the term “Fear”, but in the long run, it will make you happy. Unless your fear is spiders or something else that is crawly or deadly. Just stay away from those types of things.

The Pearl essay

Heartbroken, wounded both physically and mentally, the town that had once been a place of hopes and dreams lay ahead of the betrayed couple.“The Pearl” by John Steinbeck really captures what a tragedy is; blood, people dying, killings in the night, black velvet, red ribbons, hatred coldness and so much more. An innocent baby actually died, and right after he had healed from his scorpion bite. For most people in the town, this could end up being just another hazy memory, but for Kino and Juana, it’ll be what ruined their life. This book is what tragedy is all about.


This book definitely follows the tragedy mode of literature. First of all, the world is in conflict with Kino. He’s poor, his baby gets bitten, and the doctor won’t help. How terrible would that be, I just couldn’t even imagine it. When Kino finds the pearl though, it is a huge rise to power. If I were part of that town, I would stalk him until we became bffl’s (Best Friends For Life). Then he might want to give me some of that pearl, I guess I’m just as bad as the towns people.


Kino’s human weakness is the pearl. Some might actually say he’s in love with it, which he probably is. Well, you know the saying, “if you love something, set it free.” That’s exactly what Kino should have done. His baby died because of his greediness. If that were me, I would have never put my baby in that much danger. He should have chosen either the pearl, or his family. House burning down, canoe being broke; those are both tragic falls in the story. If I were Kino, I would have just surrendered by now and taken the first pearl dealer’s offer. After Coyotito dies, the pearl is worthless to Kino and Juana, which is why she was correct from the start.

Only the remains of the baby lay in Juana’s shawl as the pair makes their way back to the sad town of hate and evil. The happy music is gone. The song of evil has replaced it, but the family song is still playing in Kino and Juana’s hearts. That is why “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck could be no other literature type than a tragedy.

"The Pearl" Final Chapters

As a wounded Kino, and heart broken Juana stumble back to their village, Juana carries her shawl holding the remains of Coyotito. Just to think, all of that work and effort they put into keeping and selling this pearl. It was all for nothing. One of the main reasons Kino wanted to keep it was so Coyotito could go to school. But it doesn't look like that's going to happen, now does it? Well, that's what Kino gets for being as greedy and selfish as he was. He killed a man, his house burned down, his canoe broke, and was willing to put his family on the line for a stupid pearl. If that's not determination, I don't what is.

The whole lesson through out this book, was that, the pearl of the world is actually evil. Who would would have thought that something as glorious as a pearl, could cause so much damage. I certainly never thought it would. Kino should have either taken the rigged deal for the pearl, or better yet, listened to Juana. Juana was right from the begging, wanting to get rid of the evil pearl, sometimes, it seemed as though Kino respected the pearl, more than Juana.

Everything is gone, everything. All of those things they worked for are ruined now. The great pearl, the one that everybody wanted. It has destroyed everything Kino and Juana loved. All because of a little scorpion bite. This much destruction has come. Stupid scorpion.

Chapter 3 of "The Pearl" By: John Steinbeck

The amazing pearl that now, everybody wants a piece of, could destroy Kino's family. Juana wants to get rid of the pearl because she is afraid of everything, while Kino is afraid of everyone. They should not get rid of the pearl, it's supposedly the best thing that has ever happened to them. After they cash it in, Kino and Juana could buy a new house, a good house that will keep them safe from the bad things of the world. Even if the house and money couldn't protect them, they could then give away the money or donate it, or possibly just keep enough for Coyotito to go to school. That way they can at least try at the luxurious life style.

The Pearl By: John Steinbeck

Now a rich man, the brave and loving Kino questions his decision on Coyotito. I do not think that it was right for Kino to have the doctor examine the little baby ,all that man wants is money. For all Kino knows, the doctor could be making this whole thing up! It seemed to me that all of the poison was gone, but with a pearl as big as Kino's, I can see why he didn't want to take any chances.