Cannery Row Essay Topics

1. Collecting is shown through the story of Cannery Row and is an important symbol in the book. Steinbeck even writes the story with this in mind. In the prologue he states that this book is a collection. Instead of making a strong and linear plot he lets the stories flow and do their own thing. Everyone in Cannery Row collects something from Doc to Mac and the boys. Doc is seen collecting many types of animals and he does this so he can survive because it is how he makes his living. Mac and the boys also collect random things and use them to make their lives easier, such as furniture and other odd commodities.
2.
In Cannery Row the narrative often switches to give little pieces of information about Cannery Row but these intermissions from the main plot also have another purpose. Steinbeck continuously changes the plot in Cannery Row to broaden the knowledge of Cannery Row and its people. The interspersed vignettes and anecdotes allow him to do this without having to create a complex plot to introduce new characters. Many of these end on a bad note such as violence and death. I think Steinbeck does this so he doesn’t have something awful happen to a main character. Something that Steinbeck always does is that he brings us back into the light after a dark time. Steinbeck shows that there will always be better times ahead.
3.
Historical events in the U.S. greatly impacted the book Cannery Row. The greatest of these events would have to be the great depression during the 1930’s. In Cannery Row the residents are very poor often barely having enough to survive off of. This resembles the life of the American during the great depression. Although Steinbeck talks about these characters not having material possessions he does make them seem to be emotionally rich and happy. This contrasts other books I have read such as the Great Gatsby where all of the characters are rich but unhappy. What Steinbeck tries to say is that money doesn’t buy happiness it is your friends and families that provide that.
4.
Steinbeck uses Cannery Row as not only a town but also a place where the community is a big family. In Cannery Row everyone looks out for one another and helps one another because they don’t have much. To be part of the community in this place is to have trust in everyone else. Most people in Cannery Row have complete trust with one another such as doc who leaves his door unlock when he leaves or Lee Chong who allows others to go into a considerable amount of debt in his store. It is this trust in one another that makes Cannery Row this close and trusting community and Steinbeck stresses that throughout the novel.
5.
Family in Cannery Row is not defined by blood but by trust and friendship. In Cannery Row the community itself is a big family. There are also groups that stick together and treat each other like family. Such as mac and the boys and Dora’s girls. Family and trust in each other is a central idea of Cannery Row and William shows the importance of family. In the novel he ended his own life because he was unwanted and unaccepted by anyone. Steinbeck uses this as an example to stress the importance of companionship and family.
6.
Doc explains how sometimes lying can be the best thing in a situation. What he means by this is that when you lie you let others that don’t understand not be offended or have a bad impression of you. This is shown when Doc orders a beer milkshake and says it is for medical reasons. It saves the awkward conversation that he would have with the waitress. He uses lies so no ones feelings get hurt and in the end it is just better for everyone involved.