Illusions of Prosperity: The Socio Economic Delusions in John Steinbeck’s The Pearl

Abstract

This article examines the extent to which the pursuit of unreal goals, terms here as “Illusions of Prosperity,” alienates individuals from reality, using John Steinbeck’s The Pearl (1945) as a case study. Focused on Kino, the protagonist, the narrative explores how his discovery of a large pearl sets off dreams of social elevation and economic freedom within a colonially dominated Mexican village. The analysis reveals that despite the pearl’s promise of erasing historical humiliations and bringing prosperity, it ultimately leads to Kino’s psychological and social alienation, reflecting a broader critique of the materialistic pursuit under colonial influence. This paper highlights how personal aspirations, when intertwined with colonial and capitalist ideologies, can lead to disillusionment and societal estrangement.