Introduction:
Throughout the novel, whenever Kino has a particularly powerful feeling or instinct, he hears a song in his head that corresponds to that feeling. When he is happy with his family in Chapter 1, for instance, he hears the Song of the Family. When he senses malice or dishonesty, he hears the Song of Evil. These songs point to the oral nature of Kino’s cultural tradition.
The ancient, familiar songs, presumably handed down from generation to generation, occupy such a central place in how Kino’s people perceive themselves that the songs actually give form to their inner feelings. Kino is much less likely to become aware of the sensation of peril than he is to hear the Song of Danger in his head. Similarly, he is much less likely to take action because of his own conscious judgment than because he associates the song with a certain kind of urgent behavior in relation to the outside world.
The songs also point to Steinbeck’s original conception of The Pearl as a film project. In a motion picture, the songs could be played out loud for the audience to hear and thus function as recurring melodies that would underscore the story’s themes.
The ancient, familiar songs, presumably handed down from generation to generation, occupy such a central place in how Kino’s people perceive themselves that the songs actually give form to their inner feelings. Kino is much less likely to become aware of the sensation of peril than he is to hear the Song of Danger in his head. Similarly, he is much less likely to take action because of his own conscious judgment than because he associates the song with a certain kind of urgent behavior in relation to the outside world.
The songs also point to Steinbeck’s original conception of The Pearl as a film project. In a motion picture, the songs could be played out loud for the audience to hear and thus function as recurring melodies that would underscore the story’s themes.
Activity
Kino's culture used music and song to embody their feelings and emotional states so much that they identified their emotions through specific songs. The American culture doesn't go that far, but many people identify specific songs that they listen to when they are feeling a certain emotion. We see this in the movies and television shows we watch as well as in our own lives.
First, check out the following clips from television and film and see how music encapsulates the different emotions felt by the characters. Click on the pictures below to listen to their choices of music when they are having a certain type of emotion.
First, check out the following clips from television and film and see how music encapsulates the different emotions felt by the characters. Click on the pictures below to listen to their choices of music when they are having a certain type of emotion.
I hope you have gained a better understanding of music and how it can relate to a person's feelings. Let's now take a look at our own lives.
One way to look at the songs is as a soundtrack of the character’s life. What songs would you have to place as a soundtrack for your life? Would you hear a heavy metal anthem to your anger or a simple, catchy pop song for happiness? Complete the chart on the worksheet with a 5 song playlist of songs that would play for you during different types of emotions or feelings.
Here is Mr. Shircel's Life Playlist. The note icons are linked if you desire to hear them.
Happy - "Little Bitty Pretty One" by Thurston Harris ♪
Sad - "Mad World" by Gary Jules ♪
Anger - "Dance of the Knights" by Sergei Prokofiev ♪
Excitement (Anticipation) - "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden ♪
Calm (Content) - "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck ♪
Here is Mr. Long's Life Playlist:
Happy - "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" by R.E.M. 𝅘𝅥𝅮
Sad - "Rain Song" by Led Zeppelin 𝅘𝅥𝅮
Anger - The Planets, Op. 32 by Gustav Holst 𝅘𝅥𝅮
Excitement (Anticipation) - "Aces High" by Iron Maiden 𝅘𝅥𝅮
One way to look at the songs is as a soundtrack of the character’s life. What songs would you have to place as a soundtrack for your life? Would you hear a heavy metal anthem to your anger or a simple, catchy pop song for happiness? Complete the chart on the worksheet with a 5 song playlist of songs that would play for you during different types of emotions or feelings.
Here is Mr. Shircel's Life Playlist. The note icons are linked if you desire to hear them.
Happy - "Little Bitty Pretty One" by Thurston Harris ♪
Sad - "Mad World" by Gary Jules ♪
Anger - "Dance of the Knights" by Sergei Prokofiev ♪
Excitement (Anticipation) - "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden ♪
Calm (Content) - "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck ♪
Here is Mr. Long's Life Playlist:
Happy - "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" by R.E.M. 𝅘𝅥𝅮
Sad - "Rain Song" by Led Zeppelin 𝅘𝅥𝅮
Anger - The Planets, Op. 32 by Gustav Holst 𝅘𝅥𝅮
Excitement (Anticipation) - "Aces High" by Iron Maiden 𝅘𝅥𝅮