Juana represents the Mexican- Indian culture through what Steinbeck sees as loyal, devoted and meek. For example, even when Kino, Juana’s husband, beats her, she returns to him and forgives him willingly. In our society today, if a husband were to beat his wife she would leave him. Juana has enough compassion and willingness to understand her husband, and able to forgive him. Juana is loyal and submissive, obeying her husband as her culture requires. She understands that he makes mistakes and lets Kino work through them. Juana’s people trust her. They know that she won’t give up on them. She will help them get through their problems or ordeals. This shows that her cultures of Mexican- Indians understand and humble themselves.

Steinbeck uses the doctor to symbolize and embodie the arrogance of the European culture toward natives. The deceitful and prejudice doctor dislikes the other cultures. His colonial actions oppress Juana’s people. For example, the doctor won’t treat Coyotito for his severe scorpion sting because of his poor parents, but when he hears of the great pearl that Kino has found, he decides to treat the sick baby. When they first bring Coyotito to him, he refused to treat him because he knew he wouldn’t get anything in return. He becomes jealous of Kino and the pearl and selfish of his talents as a doctor. He has the ability to help others get well, so he should help even if he doesn’t get anything in return for the favor. The doctor’s greed distorts his human values. Steinbeck shows that the Europeans try to find money and riches but never become satisfied with what they have. As a physician, his duty is to act to save other humans lives. When confronted with someone beneath him in status, the doctor feels no such duty. In addition, the doctor poisons the baby while pretending to treat him. He says he will help improve the baby’s health but backstabs the Mexican- Indians by making him worse. The difference between these two societies shows that it’s not always wealth and talent that makes you happy. Europeans are portrayed as

Some topics in this essay:
Steinbeck Mexican-Indians, Mexican- Indians, Americans Juana, Coyotito Juana’s, Kino Juana’s, Steinbeck Europeans, , John Steinbeck, Indians Steinbeck, Mexican- Indian, mexican- indians, european culture, juana’s people, humble themselves, kino juana’s,