John Steinbeck’s “Cannery Row” Novel Analysis Essay

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The question of what people should do to gain happiness in life has been prevalent in literature since time immemorial. The novel Cannery Row by John Steinbeck takes a look at the lives of ordinary people in a small community of people. As the scene is set in the 1920s during the Great Depression, it is evident that the population of the Row is mostly poor. Therefore, it may be quite difficult for them to achieve happiness due to constant struggles. However, each character manages to obtain satisfaction from what little they have. Everyone on Cannery Row is friendly and likes the main character Doc because he always tries to help everyone. For this reason, Mac and his friends decided to thank him by throwing a party. Even though they fail the first time, they succeed at the second attempt. Nevertheless, it is not just a humorous story; in actuality, the author explores a variety of themes in this novel, such as the topics of community, ambition, and truth. All these different topics are heavily integrated into the narration and have a significant impact on the characters’ happiness.

First of all, it is important to examine why the community life is vital in Cannery Row. From the surface, it would not seem like a lovely place. The author himself states that this neighborhood is full of “whores, pimps, gamblers, and sons of b****es” (Steinbeck, p. 1). However, all these people have the same hardships that are connected with the absence of money. Moreover, in order to make the lives of each other more comfortable, they work together as in the system despite their differences in races and gender. Several researchers agree with this statement by saying that “the group builds a community; its members do not isolate themselves in the midst of their social status as outsiders” (Conkling, p. 70). Instead, they, as individuals, all contribute to building a small society where everyone can be at least satisfied with their life.

The most prime example of this is Doc, who is trying to help others by sharing his knowledge that he got from education. The author states that he was sympathetic to everyone, from children to prostitutes. That is why every person in the community who knew him was indebted to him. The feeling of obligation is also apparent in almost every character of this novel. After all, Mack decided to do something nice to him out in return for all the good deeds. Although he does not yet understand what should make Doc happy, he tries his best out of the purity of his heart.

Lee Chong is another example of how important it is to contribute to the community. He has a small grocery store where “a man could find everything he needed or wanted to live and to be happy” (Steinbeck, p. 4). Moreover, even though some people owed him money, he never pressed them about it, and if the bill became too big, he stopped giving out goods. His work not only improved Lee Ching’s position in the Row but also made lives in the community better.

Rather than being individuals, all these people are presented as pieces of a complex ecosystem. While analyzing the novel, Lancaster recalls a social exchange theory, where “the interconnectedness of a community is focused on one another rather than on the material culture found outside Cannery Row” (Lancaster, p. 52). In other words, this community enables everyone to fulfill a certain function as part of the whole, which makes the stressful lives of poor people happier.

Another important topic that is raised in the novel is the theme of ambition. Every character has different kinds of dreams, regarding wealth or social status. However, the author makes a clear point by telling that “people tear themselves to pieces with ambition” (Steinbeck 185). His opinion is presented through the words of Doc, who thinks that the constant race to achieve prosperity eventually ruins people’s lives and drives them to despair health problems.

He admires Mac and the boys, even though at first sight, these characters would seem unsuccessful and lazy. Despite many others, they have no ambition besides getting enough money to buy food and get a place to sleep. Nevertheless, Doc considers their lifestyle and mindset genius; they are content with little things in life and, therefore, can be happy. He compares the, with so-called successful men, who are “sick men, with bad stomachs, and bad souls, but Mack and the boys are healthy and curiously clean” (Steinbeck, p. 185). For this reason, Mack and the boys live in severe conditions better than others and do not give up to failure, when the party for Doc is ruined. In this way, by presenting a more primitive idea of ambition, or a lack thereof, Steinbeck attempts to deliver a message to the reader. That being relaxed and enjoying life as it is, seems like a secret to happiness, which is more important than chasing money and getting nervous about it.

The third crucial topic of this novel is the issue of telling the truth. The author thinks that in some cases revealing the truth would be inappropriate or would make people unhappy. The examples of such cases are relatively small and may even seem ridiculous at first. Doc says, “You couldn’t say you wore a beard because you liked a beard; you had to say you had a scar so you couldn’t shave” (Steinbeck, p. 95). Another example is when he lies to the waitress about having a bladder condition so that he could have a beer milkshake.

These types of lies seem petty, but such cases manage to demonstrate the unpleasant side of humans. While sometimes telling the truth would make people avoid another person or to be suspicious of him or her, lying would make them happy. That is why Doc prefers concealing truth even about small things, if they may be inconvenient to other people. However, by doing that, he also makes himself happy because lies make others accept him in society. In other words, the absence of truth is presented as a necessary evil that could bring at least a bit of happiness to those around.

In conclusion, it would appear that the author managed to discuss many different themes that can, in a certain way, affect happiness. The balanced life of the community, where everyone has a particular role, positively influences those who are poor or in need of advice. Simple ambitions and wishes make life easy and enjoyable. Finally, telling a petty lie sometimes is beneficial for saving a relationship or making oneself more accepted in society. According to the author, these small elements contribute to building a happy life even in tough conditions.

Works Cited

  1. Conkling, Micah. “Half Christ and Half Satyr: Seeing the Postsecular in Cannery Row.” Steinbeck Review, vol. 12, no.1, 2015, pp. 66-73.
  2. Lancaster, Billy Joe. “The Inverted Economy of Steinbeck’s Cannery Row Ecology.” The Steinbeck Review, vol. 12, no.1, 2015, pp. 52-65.
  3. Steinbeck, John. Cannery Row: (Centennial Edition). Penguin, 2002.
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