AN INTRODUCTION TO “THE PEARL”BY JOHN STEINBECK
Proverbs, Parables and the 5 P’s
Proverb
A proverb (from the Latin proverbium) is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity.
Proverbs often include the following:alliteration (Forgive and forget)parallelism (Nothing ventured, nothing gained)rhyme (When the cat is away, the mice will play)ellipsis (Once bitten, twice shy)
Examples of Proverbs
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link.
A fool and his money are soon parted.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Parable
A parable is a brief, succinct story, in prose or verse, that illustrates a moral or religious lesson.
A parable is one of the simplest of narratives. It sketches a setting, describes an action, and
shows the results. It often involves a character facing a moral
dilemma, or making a questionable decision and then suffering the consequences.
The 5 P’s: The Elements of Fiction
PointPeoplePlotPlacePerspective
Edgar Allan Poe is the father of the 5 P’s.
He wrote one of the first pieces of literary criticism.
The 5 P’s in Novels
Novels, on the other hand, develop all of the 5 P’s.
Novels are longer and allow more time to fully develop people, plot lines, places, point, and perspective.
Consider this as we begin to read “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck.
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