Cannery Row and The Pearl, by John Steinbeck

This is the final month of my Library Book Group's "Steinbeck Summer."    The final two discussion guides follow as well as some wrap-up questions.

 

Cannery Row

 

Characters

Doc – Western Biological Laboratory Frankie – homeless boy   Lee Chong – grocer Horace Abbeville – gave Chong the empty storehouse to settle debt, then committed suicide   Palace Flophouse and Grill (Abbeville building) Mack, Hazel, Eddie, Hughie, Jones, Gay Darling – dog   Dora Flood – madam – Bear Flag Restaurant Alfred – Alfy – watchman   Mr. and Mrs. Sam Malloy – living in abandoned boiler in vacant lot   Henri - painter

 

For discussion:
1. Why didn't people believe Doc when he was telling the truth about his walk but did when he lied (chapter 17)?
2. Did you guess the question everyone had about the pole skater (chapter 20)?
3. Why did the failed party have such a long-reaching effect on the town (chapter 25)?
4. There were many seemingly unrelated stories in the novel.  Why did Steinbeck include them?

• Chapter 26 - Joey and Willard
• Chapter 31 - the gopher story

5. What lessons did this story tell about human nature?

 

The Pearl

 

Characters

Kino – fisherman Juana – wife Coyotito – son   Juan Tomas – Kino’s brother Apolonia – wife Four sons   Doctor   Priest

 

For discussion:
1. In chapter 3, when Kino started to dream that he could actually own a rifle, Steinbeck wrote, "For it is said that humans are never satisfied, that you give them one thing and they want something more."  Do you agree?  Why or why not?
2. How could the outcome of this story been different?

 

Steinbeck Summer

• Of Mice and Men
• Travels with Charley
• Cannery Row
• The Pearl

1. Which of the four stories did you like best?  The least?  Were you surprised by your choice?
2. What do you think makes Steinbeck such a revered writer?


*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.