Final answer:
Kino's throwing away the pearl is a sign of defeat in John Steinbeck's novel The Pearl.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kino's throwing away the pearl in John Steinbeck's novel The Pearl is a sign of defeat. Throughout the story, Kino believes that the pearl will bring him wealth and prosperity, but instead it brings him only trouble and tragedy. When he finally realizes that the pearl is causing more harm than good, he throws it into the ocean, symbolizing his defeat and letting go of the false hope it represented.