Steinbeck & the Oral Storytelling Tradition
The art of storytelling has historically taken many forms. Only recently, in fact, has storytelling taken a written form. In most cultures, storytelling began as an oral tradition. Homer’s epics, the Iliad and Odyssey, for example, were passed down by word of mouth, as were many other legends and tales. In The Sea of Cortez, Steinbeck relates the story of how he was inspired to write The Pearl, which was essentially hearing and becoming captivated by the tale of a great pearl and a foolish young man. When Steinbeck was putting together the story himself, his original idea was to create a screenplay for a movie.
Research oral storytelling traditions from different cultures, such as Native American, ancient Greek, French, Anglo-Saxon, Appalachian, and Mexican. |
People have told stories for a long time. As long as there has been language and words, people have told stories. Before language and words, people have told stories. They have told stories through images, signs, and sounds. They have drawn images on cave walls, on stone, and wood. They have carved out meanings. They have created songs and rhythms.
Histories and stories of a people that come to us in a spoken and sung form are part of what is called an oral tradition. Oral tradition means that the information, the stories, are told rather than written down. Sometimes, a people have both a written and an oral tradition. Oral traditions have a different way of being alive than written histories. Because people hold the oral tradition in their memory, and sometimes the story changes with the telling, oral histories can be more fluid, more dynamic, more alive, than written histories. This doesn't make them less true, just different than written histories.
Histories and stories of a people that come to us in a spoken and sung form are part of what is called an oral tradition. Oral tradition means that the information, the stories, are told rather than written down. Sometimes, a people have both a written and an oral tradition. Oral traditions have a different way of being alive than written histories. Because people hold the oral tradition in their memory, and sometimes the story changes with the telling, oral histories can be more fluid, more dynamic, more alive, than written histories. This doesn't make them less true, just different than written histories.
The Oral Tradition & The PearlIn your book, right before the story begins, you find this written by the author, John Steinbeck:
"In the town they tell the story of the great pearl – how it was found and how it was lost again. They tell of Kino, the fisherman, and of his wife, Juana, and of the baby, Coyotito. And because the story has been told so often, it has taken root in every man's mind...In any case, they say in the town that…" This is supposed to be read as part of the story. Steinbeck is presenting his story in the tradition of oral storytelling. We, the readers, are listeners as well. So, as you read this story, think about how the story would sound if it was be told to you by another. |