The ants were busy on the ground, big black ones with shiny bodies and the little dusty quick ants. Kino watched with the detachment of God while a dusty ant frantically tried to escape the sand trap an ant lion had dug for him.He watched the ants moving, a little column of them near to his foot, and he put his foot in their path. Then the column climbed over his instep and continued on its way, and Kino left his foot there and watched them move over it.
In John Steinbeck's "The Pearl," Kino observes the bustling activity of ants around him, highlighting their diligent nature. His perspective resembles that of a divine being, as he watches a small ant struggle to escape a trap set by an ant lion. This scene underscores the harsh realities of survival in nature and the indifference of the universe toward individual struggles.
Kino's encounter with the ants escalates when he intentionally places his foot in their path, allowing them to climb over him without interruption. This act symbolizes the insignificance of individual concerns in the grand scheme of life. Through this moment, Steinbeck illustrates the exploration of power dynamics and the persistence of life, even in the face of obstacles.
