Is it more important to care about yourself, or to care about others?

I believe that it is more important to care about others before yourself. We need each other in life, to help each other. If everyone cared only about themselves, then we wouldn't be able to get anywhere in life. Inventions we have come up with are to help each other and ourselves. We have worked to help people who are different than us, and to get over our differences. If we didn't help each other, than things such as sign language or brail wouldn't exist. We need to help each other to learn. Being with others that we love makes us happy. If we only worried about ourselves all of the time than no one would be happy, because there wouldn't be anyone to support us or comfort us when we need it. I am glad I have other people in my life and that we live in a world where people help each other and care about each other.

Scrooge's Diary

December 24, 1843

Christmas Eve. What a horrible day that so many celebrate. For what have they to celebrate? Their lack of money? They don't have anything to be merry about. They all walk around greeting each other and wishing each other a happy and bright Christmas. Christmas isn't happy or bright at all though. The carolers are the worst. They try to spread their cheer to everyone, when not even they have something to be cheerful about. I will keep my thinking about Christmas cheer and not let anyone change my mind.

What does the Pearl symbolize to these characters and what characteristics does it bring out in them?

Juana- To Juana the pearl symbolizes bad luck. Juana get's scared that the pearl is giving them bad luck and she get's pessimistic that the pearl will really help them like they thought.

Kino- To Kino the pearl symbolizes hope. Kino is hopeful that the pearl will provide them with a better future and allow them to do things that they couldn't afford before such as getting married and getting Coyotito baptized.

Neighbors- To the neighbors the pearl symbolizes curiosity. The neighbors get curious of what the family will do with the pearl and if it will change them.

Doctor- To the doctor the pearl symbolizes greed. The Doctor wonders if he can somehow get money for himself out of the pearl.

Priest- To the priest the pearl symbolizes greed. The Priest begins to want money for the church out of the pearl.

Townspeople- To the townspeople the pearl symbolizes curiosity. The townspeople get curious about what the family will do with the money from the pearl.