Keyword: Family
In Cannery Row, Steinbeck depicts the lives of the unique inhabitants along the
Row. Discuss Steinbeck's sense of family as he examines the way relationships are built on
Cannery Row. How would you characterize the importance of family and relationships
among the main characters you have met so far?
Keyword: Humor
Consider Steinbeck's use of humor in Cannery Row. Discuss whether you find
it funny or sad...or both. Why is that the case?
Keyword: Work Ethic
Discuss Steinbeck's notion a work ethic for the characters who live on the Row. To
what extent does the work environment play a part in the definition of who these
individuals are? And why?
Keyword: Businesses
Within the world of Cannery Row exist three proprietorships: Lee Chong's grocery
market, Dora Flood's Bear Flag Restaurant, and Doc's Western Biological Laboratory.
Compare and contrast how each business owner operates his or her business.
What value does each business contribute to the life on the Row?
Keyword: Fatta the Land
It could be argued that several of the characters in Cannery Row lead lives
fulfilling Lennie's dream in Of Mice and Men of "livin' off the fatta the
land." Discuss how this theme of Steinbeck's recurs in Cannery Row.
Keyword: Dreams
In part, Of Mice and Men is a novel whose main characters are in pursuit of the
"American Dream." Explain how Steinbeck's Cannery Row is the
antithesis to the unobtainable dreams of Lennie Small and George Milton.
