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Chapter one of Cannery Row establishes the foundation of two themes that Steinbeck reiterated throughout this piece of literature: people and things are not always as they appear and humanity. By using a palette of illustrative adjectives, Steinbeck exerts vivid imagery in describing the places such as the grocery, the Palace Flophouse, and Dora’s brothel that are essential in portraying the theme of things are not always as they appear. Steinbeck also elucidates the characters in Cannery Row that include Lee Chong, Doc, and even Mac who promulgate and entails the theme of humanity and people are not always what they seem.

The first theme explored in this novel are things and people are not always what they seem. One of the most obvious portrayals of this theme is the physical place Cannery Row. After taking an initial look at Cannery Row, one would presume the place to be brimming a reprehensible and unrefined atmosphere. Despite this boorish appearance, Cannery Row is home to genuine people who above all else, look out for and take care of those in their community which obtains internal wealth despite the lack of external beauty and class. The Palace Flophouse provides another example of the appearance versus reality theme because it is a bare room that is physically empty of any objects. However, once Mac and his friends move in they transform the old vacant warehouse into their home simply by making seven rectangular divisions with chalk lines. Mac and his friends become more than a gang of troublemakers. They become a freemasonry. Dora’s brothel is another Cannery Row residence which despite its tawdry facade, it’s residents maintain as much dignity as they can while being prostitutes. “How can the poem and the stink and the grating noise—the quality of light, the tone, the habit and the dream—be set down alive?” (Steinbeck 21) This quote from the first chapter recapitulates the appearance versus reality theme that is foremost in this novel.

Pathos rhetoric is the primary literary element used by Steinbeck to convey the theme of humanity in the novel Cannery Row. Lee Chong is the character that is initially introduced in the first chapter. Steinbeck gives a specific incidence of how Lee Chong is a humanitarian to those in his community of when he extended a vast amount of credit to Horace Abbeville and then made a deal with him as he was still unable to pay Lee Chong. Doc is the main protagonist in Cannery Row and more so than all other characters in the novel, show what it means to be an altruistic humanitarian by lending a helping hand to those in need, giving advice to those who seek counseling, and most notably, taking in and caring for a mentally handicapped boy named Frankie. Finally, Mac and his friends display their unlikely philanthropy as well throughout Cannery Row. Although their intentions are good, Mac and his friends often end up making a bigger mess than there was to begin with. An example of this would be when he allowed Gay to join their gang when he saw that he was all alone and his sympathetic feelings weer revealed to readers.

The themes Steinbeck portrayed throughout Cannery Row were not only evident and concisely presented in the first chapter, but in addition they worked cohesively together and complemented one another throughout the novel. The humanity theme is helped displayed by the characters who also delineate that who they are is not always who they appear to be and the appearance versus reality theme was upheld by the character’s compassion and charity.
What is the symbolic importance of collecting in this novel? How do Doc's collecting activities inform the plot? How is collecting a metaphor for the act of writing?
Collecting involves taking a random sample and using it to make generalities about a larger population. This is what Doc does by selecting specimens for scientists to study; it is also what Steinbeck does by introducing random characters through brief sk etches inserted into the main plot. Collecting also implies taking what you find in front of you rather than trying to construct something original. Steinbeck seeks to describe a specific place and to capture some of its local specificity; he is less co ncerned with constructing a story that will be universally applicable. In this way, his creative technique has something in common with Doc's collecting activities.

How is success defined in this novel? Who is the most successful: Doc, Mack, Dora, or Lee Chong? Why? Try to argue the case for each of these characters.
Dora may be the most successful character in the novel. She is a successful businesswoman, and, although her business may seem to modern readers to involve the exploitation of others, we see throughout the novel how her brothel provides a needed outlet f or some of the sexual energies of the town. Dora also exemplifies a sense of community: She is constantly giving help to those who need it, and she uses her "girls" to help the people during the influenza epidemic. Mack is too self-centered, and his pl ans often go awry as a result. Lee Chong is mostly concerned with profits, and, again, he often faces disaster as a result of his neglect of the human side of situations. Doc is hampered by his melancholy and doesn't really form any strong bonds with ot hers. Overall, Dora is the character who best combines humanity and financial success. (Note: this is only a sample answer; Dora should not be considered as definitively the most successful character in the novel.)
How do the interspersed vignettes and anecdotes about the people of Cannery Row inform the main plot? Do they have anything to do with the main plot or are they there merely for atmosphere?
The interspersed sections let Steinbeck paint a broader picture of Cannery Row: They give him a chance to introduce more characters and show more of the Row without having to construct a convoluted or artificial plot to do so. Many of the anecdotes end on a note of violence, death, or cruelty, though, and, as such, they provide another perspective on the sometimes overly sunny portrait Steinbeck paints. By remaining outside the main plot, though, they provide a more subtle commentary, without forcing Ste inbeck to use heavy irony by having disaster befall his main characters.
What are some of the important historical events that influence this text? How are they handled in the text?

What is the function of violence in this novel? Why are there so many suicides and other deaths?

Would you characterize Steinbeck's writing as realistic? As fairy-tale-like? As abstract? As allegorical? Explain the reasons for your answer.

How does Steinbeck use the idea of place? What does it mean to be part of a neighborhood or community in this novel?

How do families and marriages function in this novel? Who are the most important people in a character's life? Why might family be a troublesome concept?

What are the financial and social issues surrounding drinking in this novel? Consider the two parties at Doc's, Dora's policies for her girls, and Lee Chong's success as a purveyor of "Old Tennis Shoes."

Doc claims that it's easier to lie than to tell the truth and that people like you better when you lie to them. Does Steinbeck "lie" in his narrative? Why or why not? If he does lie, what are his reasons?