Character Analysis Essay on Doc From Cannery Row

Introduction

Character analysis portrays actions analysis, role in a story and encounters experienced. A review of the character may further extend to action and will entail critical thinking, questioning and making conclusions concerning him or her as well. Most authors usually reveal the motivation, behavior, personality types and how they relate with others in the story. Through the analysis of these factors, one can comprehend the internal and external qualities of the character being explored. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck is a book that has an insufficient plot. It exhibits an effort to capture the emotion and individuals of a particular area and in this case, the cannery district of Monterey in California. The essay will entail a character analysis of Doc in the novel Cannery Row of John Steinbeck.

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Doc is presented as an enigmatic man in the novel. There is no information concerning his real name and why he is referred to as Doc. However, he owns Western Biological Laboratories that supplies sea life in vast amounts to higher learning institutions and individuals who may require it as well. Doc does this for a living aside from being interested in the diversity of life in the stream pools (Steinbeck 15). As such, one of the evident traits with Doc is inquisitiveness and being open-minded. It has been revealed by the way he deals with the widespread diversity of life around him, that is, with gentleness.

There is also a particular form of compassion among most people in Cannery Row for Doc. An effective instance is Mack who is observed to spend most of his time attempting to persuade other individuals to undertake operations for him. Mack says "That Doc really is a fine fellow. We ought to do something for him" (Steinbeck 29). Outstandingly, the ladies also are well familiar with Doc, and he even has several girlfriends, that is three to four who always visit the laboratory. He is also a friend to almost all the residents in the town where he resides and undertakes his work as well. On the other hand, there is a form of irony demonstrated in the novel whereby despite Doc being friendly, he is a very lonely man. He is observed to spend a lot of his time alone conducting his activities and listening to music. Moreover, Doc sometimes passes his time by playing the phonograph which he is good at as well.

An action analysis of Doc is whereby he is not a real medical doctor but acts like one in the novel. Most of the time, he is either collecting starfish or assisting people in Cannery Row. Doc is such a crucial individual and is consulted under most situations. For instance, when one has a sick child, he is always the one to be consulted. Another instance of his actions as a doctor is where Mack asks for his help when his dog is sick. Also, when the influenza endemic hit Cannery Row, Doc was broadly consulted and his services required by the mainstream individuals. He was quite busy during that time that he barely got ample time to sleep and survived on beer and canned sardines (Steinbeck 16). As such, his actions as a medical doctor in the novel may be attributed to the way he acts instead of his knowledge. He shows the Cannery residents care and handles them with the utmost respect, aspects that have made the people to gain trust in him.

Doc has been portrayed as a pillar in the local community since people rely on him for guidance and various other forms of assistance. He further comprehends that not all individuals have a high attachment to the aspect of truth like him and therefore, also decides to offer lies when the situation is necessary. Furthermore, Doc's lonely behavior may be attributed to his education and academic interest. They thus resulted in him isolating himself from numerous inhabitants in the region. Also, his experiences with Mack result in him being quite suspicious but accommodated individuals around him with all their differences. Doc further appreciates the abilities possessed by Mack to pursue his pleasures without expecting anything from society. Doc's wide association with several activities makes him a basis of benevolence, culture, and assistance all for all individuals on the Row. He introduces Dora's boys and girls to classical music, opera, and literature. He further accommodates Frankie and ensures he gets the best care.

The novel has depicted Doc as the most essential character. He may further be portrayed as the central figure of impact on Cannery Row. His significance is due to the assistance he has given Cannery Row and the changes observed as a result. There is even unity to throw Doc the party of the century. Besides, there is a change from Mack who may have been thought to be the protagonist. He has demonstrated growth. It is crucial to note that Doc has maintained the same traits at the beginning and the end of the novel, an aspect that may have assisted him in playing his role effectively. Some of the notable qualities that he has managed to maintain throughout the novel as previously discussed are being kind, loved by the community and lonely. Additionally, Doc is also essential for preparing the actions of the other characters. He may further be described as the empathizer and intelligence of Cannery Row. According to Steinbeck, "Doc is rather small, deceptively small, for he is wiry and very strong and when passionate anger comes on him he can be very fierce. He wears a beard and his face is half Christ and half satyr and his face tells the truth" (Steinbeck 25).

The essay has explored the character and action of Doc in the novel Cannery Row of John Steinbeck. He has been presented as an enigmatic man, but there is no information concerning why he is referred to as Doc. However, his actions show an image of his name. Apart from owning Western Biological Laboratories, he is also involved in assisting individuals in society. Doc is also compassionate to the community members. He is also friendly, but ironically, he depicts an aspect of loneliness. He spends most of his time undertaking personal activities and listening to music as well as playing the phonograph. He acts as a real medical doctor despite not being one. It is well demonstrated where he is called when one has a sick child. Also, when the influenza epidemic hit Cannery Row, Doc was widely consulted and his services sought by the majority of individuals. He is extensively relied on by people for guidance and various other forms of assistance. As such, his character and action analysis have portrayed that is he is quite crucial to Cannery Row.

Works Cited

Steinbeck, John. Cannery Row. Penguin Publishing Group, 2002, pp. 1-208.