Many people in the world today go mad when surrounded by even the slightest wealth and good fortune. Even a strong person who recognizes their priorities can still become corrupt by having too much power. There is no better example of a person falling into the path of evil and corruption than in a novel written by John Steinbeck. In the novel The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, the author writes about a poor Indian named Kino who becomes corrupt due to the richness of a magnificent pearl. Steinbeck uses the motifs of music, light and dark images, and values ​​to develop the theme that good luck, wealth, and prosperity lead even the most innocent people down a path of evil and corruption. The reader learns that one must recognize their priorities and not let material objects affect the practicality of their true priorities. The first way Steinbeck demonstrates the theme that power and wealth lead to evil is through the motif of music. At the beginning of the novel Kino finds the Pearl of the World and for the moment nothing could be better for him and his family. The author writes: “Kino held the great pearl in his hand, and it was warm and alive in his hand. And the music of the pearl had fused with the music of the family so that the one embellished the other” (23-24). The music symbolizes how happy and lucky Kino and his family currently feel. Kino is grateful for the good fortune the Pearl of the World brought him. Kino can't believe his luck in finding the pearl and feels that nothing could improve him and ruin his mood. He can't help but think about how this pearl will help his family. Deeper into the story Kino stares at the pearl trying to imagine its original good... middle of paper... no, wealth and prosperity lead even the most innocent people down a path of evil and corruption. Throughout the novel The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, the author displays multiple motifs. All of these motifs have symbolism, which together lead to the theme of the story: good luck, wealth and prosperity lead even the most innocent people down a path of evil and corruption. The reader learns that one must recognize their priorities and not let material objects affect the practicality of their true priorities. Often in today's world people become crazy and corrupt when wealth and prosperity come their way. Many people think that they can control themselves and be different from others, but even if they are people who have a high understanding of their real priorities, they still get lost when power comes their way..