Kino wants his son

a
to learn to read and write.
b
to grow to be a pearl buyer.
c
to be a fisherman one day like Kino and his father.

d) to have a better life and escape poverty

Kino wants his son to learn to read and write.

Kino wants his son to learn to read and write, as indicated by option a. This suggests that Kino values education and wants his son to have the ability to acquire knowledge and communicate effectively through reading and writing.

To understand the reasons behind Kino's desire, we can analyze the context of the story. In John Steinbeck's novella "The Pearl," Kino is a poor Mexican pearl diver who discovers a valuable pearl. This discovery brings hope and the potential for a better life for his family. However, it also exposes them to greed and danger.

Given their impoverished background, Kino knows that education can provide his son with opportunities for a brighter future. By learning to read and write, his son can acquire knowledge, express himself, and potentially escape the cycle of poverty. Education can open doors to better jobs, enable critical thinking skills, and empower his son to navigate a changing world.

Furthermore, Kino's desire for his son to become literate may also reflect his own aspirations. Kino may wish for his son to have the chance to live a life different from his own, free from the hardships of being a fisherman or a pearl diver.

It is important to note that options b and c are not directly mentioned in the question at hand. While they may be potential aspirations for Kino's son, the information given in the question indicates that Kino's primary desire is for his son to learn to read and write.