The Pearl" and "Burning Bright," both by John Steinbeck, are novellas exploring themes of human nature and societal injustice through contrasting narratives. "The Pearl" tells the tragic story of Kino, a poor Mexican fisherman whose discovery of a large pearl leads to his family's misfortune and ultimately, death. "Burning Bright" follows a man who is sterile, his wife's infidelity, and the consequences that follow, exploring themes of societal expectations and the human desire for fulfillment.