Elizabeth Woolford

I.D. 19996543

Writing 39 A

Professor Terra Keeperman

Duality, when a place, object, or person has two major and opposing themes. In John Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row this ideal is a continuous theme. In particular the duality of good versus evil. This theme of duality can be seen through the numerous characters, like Doc and Mac, and also in the description of the town of Cannery Row itself.

Doc is a prime example of duality, as it can not only be seen through his actions, but through the description of his face as well. "He wears a beard and his face is half Christ and half satyr. (Chapter 5 pg. 25)" In this quote Doc is being compared to both a god and one of the devil's creations, meaning that he could change personalities in a flip of a switch. This theme is also seen through his personality and actions. For example the narrator described Doc as very good and depicts him with a godly tone. Which is seen through the quote "He can kill anything for need but he could not even hurt a feeling for pleasure (Chapter 5 pg. 25)." This statement gives the reader the ideal that Doc is capable and has the resources to be evil, but being evil and hurting others isn't in his nature. An additional quote that shows Doc's good nature is when Mac says ""He'll give you a quarter any time. When I cut myself he put on a new bandage every day. A hell of a nice fella. (Chapter 7 pg. 39) This quote also explained the good nature of Doc as he had to pay for the band aids that he gave Mac. Also because he gave these bandaids knowing that Mac most likely wouldn’t be able to pay him back. Although Doc’s good actions seem to outshine the bad, he also has some evil sides to him as well. “It is said that he has helped many girls out of one trouble and into another.” (Chapter 5 pg. 25) This quote is evil because it suggests him helping the girls at the whore house out by giving them an abortion, but then having sex with them and putting them in the same previous predicament. Another quote that shows an evil side to doc is “ before the combination could be sent by the maker of the lock, there was trouble in the safe. It was then that Doc devised a method for getting revenge on a bank if anyone should ever want to.”Rent a safety deposit box… then deposit in it one whole fresh salmon and go away for six months.(Chapter 5 pg. 24)””  Through this quote it shows Doc’s evil and vengeful side towards the banks, as he comes up with a foolproof plan if he should ever have to get revenge on the banks. Additionally, an evil side is shown in the passage when Doc is driving down to Southern California to collect octopi, and asks the hitchhiker he picked up if he wants beer. “” No” said the hitchhiker “And I don’t... think... it's a very good idea to drive under the influence...you’ve got an automobile and that can be a murderous weapon…” “Get out of the car… I’m going to punch you in the nose,” said Doc. (Chapter 17 pg. 97)” Doc’s anger and evilness is proved by how he is so quick to throw the hitchhiker out of his moving vehicle just because he suggested that driving while drinking is dangerous. The hitchhiker is clearly being cautious about other’s  safety, but Doc is indifferent to that.

Another character that has a strong relationship with duality is Mac. Mac’s personality and his actions show that he tends to help people only if there’s something in it for him, and if there isn’t he’ll manipulate the situation so that he gets some type of reward. For example when the captain offers to give Mac “the pick of the litter” (Chapter 15 pg. 86) after Mac and the boys get him drunk on whiskey and take advantage of his loneliness. “Mac said ”He gave me that jug of whiskey, didn’t he?” “Sure he did” said Eddie ‘I heard him” “and he gave me the pup?” “sure pick of the litter… why?” “I never did roll a drunk and I aint gonna start now” said Mac “We got to get out of here. He’s gonna wake up feelin’ lousy and it’s gonna be all our fault. (Chapter 15 pg. 86)” In this quote Mac shows how he takes advantage of a drunk man, although he claims he never would. In doing so he justifies what he did because the captain told him he could take the dog and whiskey. Mac also knows what he did was wrong, because of how he wants to leave before the captain wakes up.

Although Mac does help others for a reward, one might wonder if another reason he helps others is out of the goodness of his heart. ““I been wondering for a long time,” Mack continued, “what we could do for him (Doc)  - something nice. Something he’d like. (Chapter 7 pg. 39)”” In this quote Mack genuinely seems to want to help Doc and thank him for all he has helped him with. An additional example of Mack’s goodness is in the quote ““Here we are,” he (Mack) said earnestly….”We worked it out that we wanted to give doc a party… there's five of us so we’ drink five times more liquor than Doc. And I ain't sure we ain't doin’ it for ourselves… Doc is the nicest fella I ever knew. I don't want to be the kind of guy that would take advantage of him. (Chapter 13 pg. 73)”” This quote shows how Mack is able to realize his selfishness and try to fix it so that he is actually doing good.