How do pearl buyers and the priest act as allies in maintaining the social hierarchy of the town?

In the town, pearl buyers and the priest collaborate to uphold the social hierarchy by reinforcing the economic and spiritual power dynamics. The pearl buyers exploit the labor of local fishermen, ensuring that wealth remains concentrated among a few, while the priest legitimizes this inequality through religious teachings that emphasize submission and moral righteousness. Together, they create a system where the wealthy elite maintain control, and the lower classes are kept in a subservient position, perpetuating the status quo. This alliance highlights the interplay between economic interests and spiritual authority in sustaining social stratification.