cannery row
...roken” pieces and realism underneath. The rats represent the people of Cannery Row since they have an idealistic life, but will never be able to break free of their current status. Nonetheless there is still a feeling of contentment as Doc sees the “brilliant colors of the quilt”, while listening to “incredibly pure and sweet” music, and thinking about the “’Good Time!’” that he had the night before. The bright colors bring instant gratification to Doc’s eyes, while he listens to some of his favorite “pure” music that allows him to clear his mind and think about life. Reminiscing about the party from the night before also brings satisfaction to his mind, even though things got slightly out of control. Doc is full of emotions as he wakes up feeling ill and sluggish, brightens up by thinking of the party, and feels discontent once again as he sees the mess around the lab. The author further extends the effects of the concluding chapter through the use of descriptive imagery, showing in detail, the things around the room that would make Doc downhearted, or delighted. Doc looks around “to the broken plate in the corner, to the glasses standing on the table turned over on the floor, to the spilled wine”, and then he goes to sit on the edge of his bed and thoroughly surveys “the wreckage”. The entire laboratory is a mess and doesn’t help enliven Doc’s mood. He wonders if the merriment of the party is worth all of the stress and disconsolation that comes along with the morning after. Yet the party does leave behind signs of contentment like “cool, soft, soothing music”, and the same “quiet and sunny” Cannery Row. The party leaves Doc with music playing in his head to help cheer him up. One thing that remains constant throughout the novel is no matter what happens, Cannery Row still remains the same, the morning after. John Steinbeck’s organization further develops the two conflicting tones, and helps to bring them together in a sophisticated blend. The concluding chapter ends quietly, suddenly, and realistically. It begins with Doc waking up the morning after his party, and it begins to take a journey around the room noting on most of the bad things but it doesn’t leave out the good factors. Doc is looking around at broken plates and dropped cups everywhere, but he also see...