Activity Overview
Literary conflicts are often taught during ELA units. Building on prior knowledge to achieve mastery level with our students is important. An excellent way to focus on the various types of literary conflict is through storyboarding. Having students choose an example of each literary conflict and depict it using the storyboard creator is a great way to reinforce your lesson!
Conflict is a major recurring element in The Pearl. Much of the conflict stems from the manifestation of greed centered around the pearl.
Examples of Literary Conflict in The Pearl
MAN vs. SELF
When Kino and his family lose their home, they go to Juan Tomas to see if he will hide them. Juan Tomas is worried about the escalating problems that the pearl has brought and thus is briefly indecisive about helping Kino and Juana.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
The fact that the doctor refuses to help Coyotito because his parents are poor is an example of Man vs. Society. The doctor's ignorance to help them because of their social class is a societal issue.
MAN vs. MAN
Juana sees the pearl as evil and a threat. She tries to sneak away with the pearl and throw it back into the ocean; however, Kino catches her and beats her to get the pearl back.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in The Pearl.
- Identify conflicts in The Pearl.
- Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Technology.
- Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
- Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Try Again | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies correct major conflicts and uses strong, clear textual evidence to support choice. | Student identifies correct major conflict and uses few or unclear details to support their choice. | Student identifies incorrect major conflict, and uses some details from the text to support their choice. | Student does not attempt to identify major conflict or identifies incorrect major conflict with no explanation. |
| Understanding Outcome | Student clearly shows the outcome of the conflict and its effects on the protagonist with evidence from the text. | Student shows the outcome of the conflict and its effect on the protagonist, but some evidence is unclear. | Student shows the outcome of the conflict, but does not examine its effect on the protagonist and uses some vague textual evidence. | Student does not clearly show the outcome of the conflict or use textual evidence. |
| Character | Storyboard includes all required characters and clearly names them. Goes above and beyond by adding additional details. | Storyboard includes all required characters and clearly names them. | Storyboard includes protagonist and antagonist but leaves out other required characters. | Storyboard does not include the names of required characters. |
| Storyboard | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting the scene of the book | Student attempts to convey setting and scene of the book, but lacks some clarity. | Student does not clearly convey the setting and scene. | Student makes little or no attempt to convey the setting or scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes a minor error in spelling and grammar. | Student makes several minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes many errors in spelling and grammar; little attempt at spellchecking. |
How To Help Students Understand Man vs Society Conflict in The Pearl
Introduce Conflicts
Give a brief introduction to the types of conflicts beforehand and ask the students to analyze one particular conflict in the context of the story. Explain that when a character or characters strive against social conventions, laws, or expectations, it results in a man vs society conflict.
Discuss Social Injustice
In order to understand the Man vs Society conflict present in the story, it is important for students to understand the concept of social injustice. Students can analyze how social injustice plays a crucial role in insinuating this conflict and how this conflict could have been avoided. Students can also analyze other types of Man vs Society conflicts present in the story.
Connect With Themes
Discuss how the society portrayed in the book is rife with corruption and greed. Examine the self-interested motivations of individuals like the pearl purchasers, the trackers, and even some of the villagers. Help the students analyze how these themes promote the conflict and make the villagers go against Kino and his family.
Give Reflective Assignments
Ask students to compose essays or thoughts on the "Man vs. Society" subject from "The Pearl." Encourage them to back their points with concrete instances from the book. Aside from writing, students can also perform other activities such as using art and visuals to depict the conflict or writing critical analysis and explaining the author’s intentions.
Relate To Real Life
This particular conflict present in the story is not far from reality. Students can discuss how this conflict applies to real life and share their opinions and experiences on the subject. Encourage the students to analyze how closely the story portrays reality and give a lesson to the readers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Literary Conflict in The Pearl
What sort of conflict arises in the narrative when Kino discovers The Pearl?
Conflict is sparked by Kino's discovery of the pearl because it gives rise to a series of events that reveal the terrible reality of the people in his village. The pearl represents potential wealth and success, which results in greed, envy, and other people taking advantage of Kino which ultimately results in many tragedies.
What role does the Man vs Self conflict play in the narrative?
The plot is propelled by Kino's internal turmoil, which gives his character more complexity. He struggles with opposing feelings and wants. On the one hand, he hopes that the pearl's richness will enable him to provide his family with a better life. However, Kino is also struck by greed and as a result of wanting more and more money in exchange for the pearl, he is conflicted by his own emotions.
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