The Man of Mystery

Davey.1

Taylor Davey

Professor Davis

English 117

20 November 2017

The Man of Mystery

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck is a novel, which takes place in Monterey, California. Although this novel doesn’t have much of a plot, it does however have characters trying to discover who they are as individuals. This story follows right after the Great Depression in the 1930s. The character Doc although being a mysterious and unknown soul appears to be a rather generous and caring character, but who is he truly as a person?

The character Doc is portrayed as the backbone throughout the entire book. He is seen as the most knowledgeable, and wise person on the Row. All the citizens in this town choose to go to Doc, because while being the most knowledgeable he is also the most understanding. While no one truly understands why he is the way he is, nor has Steinbeck bothered to answer questions about him -like What is his real name, why is he called Doc, or why he happens to have all those babies in jars? – He is still one of the most trusted and influenced characters throughout this entire novel. Doc owns Western Biological Laboratories, and a sea life trading company. While Mack and the boys aren’t typically ones to show their gratitude towards others, they do however show many thanks towards Doc. After destroying his lab after the first party Doc had thrown, they get the whole town involved to throw another party for him. Mack decides throwing this party would be a good idea because not only will is prove how forgiving he is, bu