Cannery Row

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of ableism, sexual content, and substance use.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What aspects of Steinbeck’s portrayal of Cannery Row as “a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light” resonated most strongly with you (5)? How did this multisensory approach affect your experience of the setting?

2. Despite its episodic structure and lack of traditional plot, Cannery Row has endured as a beloved classic. How does this more character-driven approach compare to Steinbeck’s more plot-focused works like Of Mice and Men?

3. The characters in Cannery Row often defy traditional expectations of “protagonists”;  they drink heavily, engage in sex work, or are otherwise social outcasts. Which character surprised you most?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Doc shares his knowledge of literature, music, and science freely with anyone interested. What knowledge could you share with those around you, and how might it benefit your community?

2. Mack and his friends reject conventional ideas of success, prioritizing freedom and contentment over wealth or status. Did you sympathize with this decision? In what ways have you questioned traditional markers of achievement?

3. When Darling the dog becomes ill, she brings the fractured community back together. How have animals or pets played a role in your own relationships?

4. The residents of Cannery Row find ways to celebrate life despite limited resources. Looking back on meaningful celebrations you’ve experienced, were they centered around expensive gifts or venues? If not, what gave them their value?

5. Throughout the novel, characters’ good intentions often lead to unexpected consequences. When have your own well-meaning plans gone wrong in ways that taught you something valuable?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Steinbeck wrote Cannery Row during World War II but set it during the Great Depression. What insights can this novel offer about how Americans process economic hardship during historical crises? Do other Steinbeck works tackling the same era (for example, The Grapes of Wrath) suggest the same?

2. The community’s treatment of Frankie reflects attitudes toward intellectual and physical disabilities in the 1930s. In what ways has the societal approach to disability evolved or remained the same since Steinbeck’s time?

3. Dora Flood runs a “decent” establishment and demonstrates remarkable generosity toward the community. What does Steinbeck’s positive portrayal of sex workers suggest about his views on conventional sexual morality?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What significance do the oceanic imagery and tidal patterns hold throughout the novel? How does Steinbeck use these natural rhythms to reflect human behavior on Cannery Row?

2. The novel alternates between human stories and animal lives, like the gopher seeking a mate. How do these parallel narratives affect Steinbeck’s portrayal of life and its fundamental patterns?

3. Throughout Cannery Row, characters speak of doing something nice for Doc, leading to two very different parties. What does this motif of parties reveal about the novel’s perspectives on intention versus outcome?

4. Steinbeck interrupts the main narrative with seemingly tangential anecdotes, like the story of Josh Billings’s remains. What is the narrative purpose of these diversions?

5. Consider the description of Lee Chong as “evil balanced and held suspended by good” (17). Where else does this concept of balance appear in the novel, and what might Steinbeck be suggesting about human nature?

6. Doc’s recitation of “Black Marigolds” at the party and again at the novel’s conclusion serves as an emotional centerpiece. How did you respond to the inclusion of poetry? What purpose might it serve in the novel’s exploration of human connection?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to transport the community of Cannery Row to the present day, which elements would remain the same and which would be transformed by modern technology and social norms?

2. The novel ends with Doc composing his own stanza in the style of “Black Marigolds.” Write a brief poetic verse about one of the novel’s characters or scenes that captures its emotional essence.

3. Mack and his friends furnish the Palace Flophouse with found and discarded items, creating a home from what others considered trash. Describe how you would repurpose unexpected objects to create your own version of a welcoming space on Cannery Row.

Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources