An Idea
Cannery Row
I read John Steinbeck’s 1945 novel Cannery Row in sixth grade. It was the first piece of literature that every really resonated with me. The story is about the characters of a street called Cannery Row in Monterey during the Great Depression. It is filled with vivid descriptions and tells a tale of California that is not commonly told. In my old room there is a loft in which I read the entirety of Cannery Row. I learned about Lee Chong, the store owner, Doc, a marine biologist, and Mac and the boys, a philosophical drunk with his rugged contingent. The book seemed to match the loft. They actually made a good pair. The smell of old and torn pages complimented the dusty and dim atmosphere. My Dad used to build exhibits for the California Academy of Sciences and would search through the dumpsters when they would get rid of departments or some such clearing. One day he found prints of seaweed that Doc, the marine biologist, had made. Doc was real and the prints now sit in our bookcase and collect dust. I guess thats better than in a landfill. While Doc’s prints are directly in my life, there is much more of Cannery Row that has managed to find make it into my life as well. Steinbeck emphasized the nuances of the people and the community of Cannery Row, which has manifested itself into an obsession with people. I consistently look at how people are different and how they interact with those around them. Word Count: 256 |