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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many frogs do Mack and the boys catch?

2. What do each of the boys carry to the frog hunt?

3. What does Doc order in Ventura?

4. What is Mack's method of catching the frogs?

5. What has enthralled Henri the Painter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Steinbeck believe about truth which is explained by Doc's walking trip during college?

2. How does Steinbeck show that Doc is one with nature?

3. Why is Mack impressed by Dora?

4. What impact have Mack and the boys had on the captain?

5. How do Mack and the boys react to ruining Doc's party?

6. What are some of the morning rituals on Cannery Row?

7. What is the significance of the flagpole sitter at Holman's Department Store?

8. What is the symbolism of the music in Doc's head when he finds the body of the beautiful dead woman in the water?

9. Describe Mary Talbot.

10. What does Steinbeck mean by "the hour of the pearl" in Chapter 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Steinbeck clearly likes to have fun with his readers. Name some examples of humor in this book. Which characters are especially prone to humorous behavior? Which are not? Why does Steinbeck use humor? Is he trying to balance somber stories, or does he just find life to be funny most of the time, at least in this story?

Essay Topic 2

Cannery Row is populated with social outcasts and homeless people. What would become of these same people today? Re-write the characterizations and settings for the main characters. Explain the reasons for your changes.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the character of Lee Chong. How does Lee conduct his business and his life? Why is he such an important figure on Cannery Row? What does he represent to the other characters in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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