Mrs. Talbot

In discussions that I have had about Cannery Row, people have repeatedly asked me if I've gotten to the part about the lady who likes to throw parties. I finally arrived at Chapter 24 today and was very pleased with his description of dear, old Mary Talbot. The thing that I think Steinbeck has done so well throughout this novel is describe a character without passing or even hinting at judgment. He continues this with Mary and shows how she behaves, but doesn't pity or glorify her. I think she sounds incredibly interesting and absolutely fabulous for just being able to entertain herself both effortlessly and creatively.

Also, I wanted to revisit some previous thoughts on Steinbeck's glorification of Mack and the boys, who I see as the complex heroes of the town, even though they manage to destroy everything they touch. Doc's observations of the guys in Chapter 23 are beautifully written and I think once again reflects own vision of what life truly is and what should be valued in it. He writes from Doc's perspective, "They could ruin their lives and get money. Mack has qualities of genius. They're all very clever if they want something. They just know the nature of things too well to be caught in that wanting" Then later, "The things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty understanding and feeling are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second."