In Chapter 1 of The Pearl by John
Steinbeck, Kino contentedly watches his wife who makes the corncakes on the heating
plate over the fire and tends to the hammocked baby; then he listens as Juana sings
softly an ancient song that is part of the Song of the
Family:
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Sometimes it rose to an aching chord that caught
the throat saying this is safety, this is warmth, this is the
Whole.
The
Song of the Family, the diametric opposite of the Song of Evil, is the song of the love
and unity of Kino, Juana, and Coyotito--the whole of their lives. For, the Song of Evil
appears when Coyotito's life is threatened.
Whenever Kino
has a premonition or a strong feeling, he hears songs in his mind. For example, when
the scorpion threatens Coyotito, King hears the Song of Evil. These songs are almost an
instinctual reaction that has evolved in the Indian culture. The ancient songs that
"remain" with "no new songs added" are what Kino hears in his head when there is
danger--the Song of the Enemy or the Song of Evil--rather than any conscious reasoning.
Thus, the various songs represent emotions and intuitive
feelings.
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