Final answer:
The biggest conflict in 'The Pearl' is external, revolving around the protagonist Kino and the external pressures and dangers brought about by the discovery of the valuable pearl.
Step-by-step explanation:
The biggest conflict in "The Pearl," written by John Steinbeck, is an external one. This external conflict arises when the main character, Kino, finds a valuable pearl, which he believes will solve his family's problems. However, this discovery leads to a series of events where Kino and his family face greed, envy, and violence from outside forces, disrupting their previously peaceful life. It's the struggle with these external forces that drives the plot and creates tension in the story. This tension reaches its peak in the climax, where Kino must make a significant decision affecting the future of his family. That decision represents the culmination of the external pressures placed on Kino throughout the narrative.