Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Pearl. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Kino throws the pearl back into the sea after his infant son Coyotito is killed. He and Juana walk home in silence.
Quick facts
– Book: The Pearl by John Steinbeck
– First published: 1947
– Type: A novella
– Tone of the ending: Tragic
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Kino finds a huge pearl that might change his family's life. He is attacked by thieves and cheated by dealers.
What Happens at the End of The Pearl
Kino kills a man in self-defense. He and his family flee into the mountains. Trackers shoot into a cave and kill Coyotito. Kino and Juana return home and throw the pearl away.
The Ending in Five Quick Points
- Kino kills a man in self-defense.
- He and his family flee into the mountains.
- Trackers shoot into a cave and kill Coyotito.
- Kino and Juana return home and throw the pearl away.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Coyotito | Killed |
| Kino | Throws the pearl away |
| Juana | Remains with Kino |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows that greed can destroy. The pearl represents wealth, which brings misery.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers see it as fable, others as realism.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Greed. The final pages are where this idea lands hardest, and rereading the last chapters with greed in mind changes how the ending reads.
Poverty. John Steinbeck uses the closing events to show what poverty costs or achieves, rather than simply stating it.
Family. The ending gives family a final shape, which is why readers often point to it when they explain what the book is really about.
Fate. Even in the last scenes, fate keeps shaping the choices the characters make.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Pearl as Tragic. That reaction usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected John Steinbeck to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1947 film and 1957 film follow with changes.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Pearl with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about greed, and do you agree with John Steinbeck's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- After finishing, would you describe the book as tragic, or would you choose a different word?
Discussion Prompts by Theme
- Greed: Which moment in the last chapters made greed feel most real to you, and did it change how you saw earlier scenes?
- Poverty: How does John Steinbeck use the closing events to say something about poverty, and do you agree with that view?
- Family: If you could ask a character about family at the very end, who would you ask, and what would you say?
- Fate: Does the ending leave fate resolved, or is it something that stays unsettled after the last page?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces greed and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what John Steinbeck leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Pearl often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Pearl earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
- Would you recommend The Pearl to a friend who dislikes spoilers, or to one who loves a discussion?
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Books to Read After The Pearl
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Related: The Pearl by John Steinbeck: Summary and Key Takeaways · Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Pearl?
Kino throws the pearl back into the sea after his infant son Coyotito is killed. He and Juana walk home in silence.
Is the ending of The Pearl happy or sad?
Most readers call it Tragic.
What does the ending of The Pearl mean?
The ending shows that greed can destroy.
Is the ending of The Pearl the same in the adaptation?
The 1947 film and 1957 film follow with changes.
Who should read The Pearl before reading the ending explained?
Anyone who plans to read the book, because this post gives away the whole ending.
Can I find The Pearl as an ebook or audiobook?
Most editions of The Pearl can be found in print and as an ebook, and many are also available as audiobooks. Public libraries often lend all three formats, so you can revisit the final chapters in whichever way suits you best.
What should I do after reading this guide to the ending of The Pearl?
If the ending stayed with you, reread the last few chapters with this guide in mind and look for the clues you missed the first time. You can also try one of the books suggested above, or talk the ending over with a friend or book club.