What Kind of Truth is Steinbeck Trying to Explore in Cannery Row?
This essay deals with the novel of John Steinbeck, which is called Cannery Row. The main goal of this essay is to reveal the kind of truth that Steinbeck tries to explore. A lot of critics state that Steinbeck tries to create some sort of social utopia. He tries to do it by presenting a society where a group of misfits is able to coexist due to their tenderness and warm-hearted nature. However, there are also examples of violence and cruelty (eNotes).
Cannery Row is the place on the map where all the people are poor, but thy have close relationships and are very friendly. There are few main characters in this novel. Firstly, it is Lee Chong who is the owner of a grocery store. Secondly, we have Mack and the boys. Thirdly, it is a woman called Dora who is the madam of the local public house. Finally, it is the Doc who is the owner of the Western biological Lab. All people in Cannery Row like doc because he is a wonderful person. He is always ready to listen to other people and he also has something interesting to say. That is why Mack and the boys decide to organize a party for Doc (Shmoop Editorial Team). As we can see, in this place people are really friendly and are ready to make pleasant things for each other. Here we can see beautiful instances of humanity as people live in peace and friendship.
However, readers may notice that the novel is full of examples of violence and cruelty. These examples are opposition to this hopeful and optimistic presentation of humanity. For instance, some men commit suicide, Doc finds a dead body of a woman that is lying on the beach. Moreover, there is the scene where a backward boy is locked up in some institution because he has tried to steal a gift as a symbol of love. Such moments make readers doubt the possibility of the reality of such a utopian happiness. Moreover, readers can also take into consideration the way in which the real world shows its essence in the story. It is done in the form of the influence of the Second World War on the community in that place. The presence of that form of reality can make readers doubt the existence of utopia, which is perfect and free from evil, cruelty, and violence. That is the moment when we can understand that Steinbeck wants to show the way in which human nature always implement dystopia (eNotes).
In order to present the instances of darkness, Steinbeck tends to use anecdotes and vignettes. These are organized in the form of separate chapters, which seem to have a very weak connection with the main plot. Moreover, these chapters are often used in order to present new characters that will not reappear in the future. We can state that this structure has several effects. Firstly, it gives Steinbeck an opportunity to keep anti-utopian commentary elegant because in any way the novel will end on an optimistic note. Secondly, Steinbeck is able to capture more of Cannery Row. He is able to provide readers with a broad portrait without creating a tremendous plot. Finally, this novel is the extension of Steinbeck’s writing style, which is based on off-topic riffs. Even though Steinbeck is prone to provide a realistic description of events, sometimes he can use moments of cosmic speculation. It is the reason why the novel can preserve its optimistic outlook and ends on the positive note even though there is the undeniable presence of sorrow in the world (Sparknotes). As the conclusion, we can argue that Steinbeck tries to show that despite all unpleasant events, which can happen in this world, there is still a place for positive and optimistic things.
Works Cited
Shmoop Editorial Team,. "Cannery Row Summary". Shmoop.com. N.p., 2008. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. http://www.shmoop.com/cannery-row/summary.html
"Sparknotes: Cannery Row: Analysis". Sparknotes.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/canneryrow/section9.rhtml
"What Is The Main Idea Of Cannery Row By John Steinbeck? | Enotes". eNotes. N.p., 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/where-can-find-authors-purpose-throughout-novel-268538
