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An Analysis of John Steinbeck's Cannery Row and Grapes of Wrath

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An Analysis of John Steinbeck's Cannery Row and Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck is a brilliant storyteller capable of crafting such vibrant and captivating literary works that one can effortlessly exit their own life and enter another. John Steinbeck has a passion for divulging the flaws of human nature and he is not afraid to write about the raw and tragic misfortune that plagued the lives of people like the Okies in the Grapes of Wrath and residents of Cannery Row. He was also a brilliant commentator who contributed brilliant opinions on the political and social systems in our world. In heart wrenching words he tells us the story of peoples lives, which were full of love, corruption, faith and growth. However in the novels of Cannery Row and The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck specifically attempts to convey the thematic elements of socialism, survival and the role of women to blatantly present the lifestyle of down trodden migrant workers and the diverse ecosystem of prostitutes, marine biologists, store owners and drunks in a way that is unapologetic and mentally stimulating. Socialism is a political ideology and lifestyle in which people work collectively to better themselves and society. In Cannery Row John Steinbeck uses Mack and the Boys, a group of unemployed friends to present an aspect of socialism. " Once in the Palace Flophouse the boys set about furnishing it …. The Palace Flophouse grill began to function. The boys could all sit in front of their door and look across the track and across the lot and across the street"(16). This quote shows the guys working together to build a socialist microcosm and though Mack and the boys are not related they are a family that live together in a fishmeal storage house and they share the constant pursuit of survival. The boys also share simple pleasures of drinking and having a good old time. The men are not selfish and they live a life with more happiness than any wealthy man because they are not consumed with egotistical thoughts and greed. Steinbeck shows how
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