Literary Analysis #3

Cannery Row
By. John Steinbeck

GENERAL
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
This novel starts with explaining the town in Monteray and the town people. Mack and boys are a group of unemployed boys, trouble makers, yet "resourceful men who inhabit a converted fish-meal shack on the edge of a vacant lot down on the Row" in the town. They want to throw a thank-you party for Doc who helps them very nicely. Soon, all of the town people get involved in the party. However, the party didn't go too well, it went out of control. When Doc comes back to his house, he sees that his house and his lab are ruined, also Doc's mood. Town people feels bad for Doc and boys decide to throw another party that Doc will get happy and that actually work. This time, they put more careful effort into it, and the party was very successful. And the novel ends with Doc cleaning and thinking about the life after the party.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
The theme of the novel would be lonliness. Even though they are busy with their work, they find themselves very lonely. The most lonley character in the novel is Doc which Steinbeck described him “lonely and set-apart man” (92). At first, we think his doesn't care, but we can see see that he is very lonely throughout the novel. And meeting Mack and boys, eventhough they are very annoying, he gets his lonliness away from him.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
The tone of this novel is very calm. there were not many exciting or happy or sad parts. it was mostly calm and quiet.
4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)
Conflict : when Mack and boys ruined Doc's house and laboratory for having 'out-of-control' party.
Setting: Every events happen in the town in Monteray.
Mood: Calm, quiet, and steady.
Point-of-view: 3rd person.
Syntax- The author focused on lengthy descriptions than dialogue.
Diction- The author repeated and used the same/similar words in one sentence. Simple diction.
Simile- “His fat delicate hands rested on the glass, the fingers moving like small restless sausages.” (10)
Can't find anymore :(

CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
The direct characters are Mack and the boys. They are very straight out and they do whatever they do. The indirect character is Doc. He is very quiet and emotionless character. It is hard to understand his feeling until Steinbeck describe them in lenghty description.
Author used this to show emphasize the difference between Doc and Mack and boys and how they get along at the end.
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
No, syntax and diction stay neutral through out the novel. Author uses lengthy description and his diction is very simple. Nothing change.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
The protagonist is round but static. Doc is very quiet and calm through out the whole novel. His characteristic does not change but he does change his view of his town friends. He starts to trust them and rely on them.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
I would love to meet Doc. He seems like a very nice and calm person. And I love those kind of people. They are not in any hurry or too talkative. PERFECT for me :)