It was noted that the town was very much like a type of organism in the last chapter. Here again, Steinbeck begins this chapter by comparing the town to a larger unit, or organism, in which no single action is separate from any other. Only when one person deviates from the general pattern of the rest of the unit is there a significant change. In this chapter, Kino will step out of the known and trusted pattern of behavior; he will no longer be a part of the larger organism; as such, he will be more vulnerable to the enemy since he does not have the collective protection of the entire organism. Significantly, the entire town knows that Kino is going to sell his pearl today.
This "organism" image is carried through and expanded to include the pearl buyers. There were once many pearl buyers bidding against one another, but now there "was only one pearl buyer with many hands," and the pearl buyers sitting and waiting for Kino already knew what each would offer for the Pearl of the World.
On the morning that Kino is to sell the pearl, the other divers do not go out to dive; this is to be a special day in the life of the town. Kino and Juana dress themselves and Coyotito in their best clothes and begin the trip to the pearl buyers, followed by all of the rest of the village. Here, we have the second of several processional scenes. Yesterday, they walked in the same procession to see the doctor, and they were defeated and turned away. Today, they go in a triumphant mood, fully aware of the treasure they have that will bring them wealth and respect.
