The character of the Doctor represents the embodiment of colonial greed and racial prejudice. He refuses to treat the baby Coyotito when the family is poor, only to feign concern once he learns of Kino's great discovery. This social commentary is a critical aspect of the book. Readers interested in post-colonial studies often look for the pearl pdf to analyze the interactions between the indigenous people and the settlers of European descent. Steinbeck exposes the hypocrisy of the upper class, showing how "civilization" can often be more savage than the natural world. The Doctor's manipulation of Kino is a key plot point that drives the tragedy forward.