Why are the dark ones never identified in the pearl?

In John Steinbeck's "The Pearl," the "dark ones" represent the oppressive forces of colonialism and greed that exploit the protagonist, Kino. Their anonymity serves to highlight the pervasive nature of exploitation and the societal structures that maintain inequality, rather than focusing on individual villains. By not identifying specific individuals, Steinbeck emphasizes the collective threat posed by these dark forces, suggesting that the problem lies within the system itself rather than in specific people. This ambiguity also reflects the broader themes of dehumanization and moral decay in the face of wealth and power.