The characterization of females in “Cannery Row” very much opposed those of the males. Steinbeck does not celebrate the humanity of females instead he limits the development of female characters in the novel by presenting a female perspective through the eyes of a man’s expectations. Being a man himself Steinbeck uses his own limited perceptions of the female psyche to influence his characterization of 2 dimensional females in the novel.
“ In 1935 Mr and Mrs Sam Malloy moved into the boiler.” Notice how Mrs Malloy is introduced as ‘Mrs Sam Malloy.’ She is with the absence of a first name and thus is presented as a back drop to her husband. She is the stereotypical female who is without personal qualities or an identity. However a man’s view of females being materialistic and the way they react after quick fortunes is also comically explored in Mrs Malloy’s characterization. After Mr Malloy becomes rich Mrs Malloy changes into an irrational and complaining wife. She needs and loves spending money on items that are unnecessary. These actions are subsequently disapproved by her husband. “…for Christ’s sake what are we going to do with curtains? We got no windows.”
Mary Talbot is another caricature of femininity. Even though she is addressed with a first name and is thus given an identity she is still the stereotypical loving, emotional, caring and supportive wife. Mary Talbot will do anything to please her husband Tom and hence she is a model wife that all husband wishes for. Steinbeck once again makes fun of how men view women and their activities by ridiculing the existence tea parties. “Mary sometimes gave parties for the neighborhood cats.”
Men reflect negativity towards dominating women. This is evident in Cannery Row where we see the character of Gay’s wife through the view of Hazel. His description is one that is biased and unfair. This is because Gay’s wife can not defend herself as her character is presented through an eye of a males’. “his wife hits him pretty bad…she waits ‘til he gets to sleep and hits him…he has to wake up and beat her up…. He don’t get any rest.” Thus it is evidently that both Gay and his wife contributed to the above situation as Gay also beats his wife. However the way Hazel expresses it, readers feels that the wife is the villain and that Gay is the victim of her vicious attacks. Steinbeck fails to acknowledge the devastation that the wife must being feeling. Instead he only explores the husband’s annoyance of having his sleep disrupted. Later on we learn through Hazel’s perceptive that Gay doesn’t even find it satisfying to hit his wife but only commits himself to it in to contain his male pride. Hence this establishes that Cannery Row is from a masculine view seeing as men sees violence as a tool to prove their masculinity.
The characteristics of a modern day woman is explored and criticized through the captain’s absent wife. Just because the captain’s wife is independent and into politics and thus not conventional she is negatively viewed by the males in the book “It was obvious that the wife was away - …. Such woman knew that they were the worst threats to a home, for they offered ease and thought and companionship as opposed to neatness, order and properness.” From this quote where the captain’s wife is presented through the eyes of a male, readers develop an understanding that the domineering and independent characteristics of an modern woman is disliked and not appreciated by men. This is because the oppressive influence of these “new age” women takes away the freedom, power and relaxed companionship of men..
Out of the limited female roles in Cannery Row Dora Flood “a great woman with flaming orange hair,” is the most celebrated female character. A reason for this is because Dora is not only the madam of the Bear Flag Restaurant, whorehouse of Cannery Row but she also holds both female and male traits. Dora is a generous, kind, intelligent, soft-hearted, honest and motherly woman. However she also holds the male qualities of being strong and powerful which separates her from the other female characters in the novel. She is a true and realistic woman who is content with her life. Thus making her the most interesting woman in the eyes of these men. It is great to notice that Dora’s ‘girl’s’ unlike her are seen through a men’s perspectives solely for sexual pleasure. All the men in Cannery Row visit the brothel except for Doc where the women goes to him. In addition to this Steinbeck portrays these prostitutes as “normal girls with normal lives and jobs,” instead of them being sinful. This highlights the unusual characters that Steinbeck is drawn to. He celebrates and makes the marginalized men in Row seem like heroes even though they are flawed and different. This is because they are human who hold true to themselves.
Steinbeck’s representation of Row life is through a masculine point of view. This is due to the limited input and development of female characters. Readers never truly see a woman’s perspective just what a man thinks a woman perspective will be. Thus many stereotypical views of femininity is evident in the book as “men just don’t understand how a woman will feel… men just don’t try to put themselves in a woman’s place”. Nevertheless Steinbeck manages to capture the spirit and mateship of the Row community who are able to remain optimistic despite the sorrow and depression occurring in the world.
