Cannery Row: Chapter 25 Summary & Analysis

Everyone in Cannery Row senses a “change.” “It’s all right not to believe in luck and omens,” Steinbeck writes. “Nobody believes in them. But it doesn’t do any good to take chances with them and no one takes chances.” This is why even Doc—a “pure scientist” devoted to rational thinking—is wary of bad “omens.” “Most people in Cannery Row simply do not believe in such things and then live by them.” Now that the “evil” spell has lifted, though, no one can deny their own good fortune. As such, Mack and “the boys” are optimistic about the new party they’re planning for Doc. “Last time we forced her,” Mack says, referring to the party itself. “You can’t never give a good party that way. You got to let her creep up on you.”

News of the party spreads through town, but Mack and “the boys” are still planning the specifics. They decide it ought to be a surprise birthday party, but they don’t know Doc’s birthday, so Mack visits the laboratory and—pretending to be curious about his horoscope—asks when he was born. “October 27,” Doc says. “It must be remembered that Doc had known Mack a very long time,” Steinbeck writes. “If he had not he would have said December 18 which was his birthday instead of October 27 which was not.” Having secured this (false) information, Mack leaves, and Doc tries to guess what he and “the boys” are cooking up. “For he had recognized it as a lead,” Steinbeck notes. “He knew Mack’s technique, his method. He recognized his style.” Later, when he finds out about the party, he feels “slightly relieved” that it’s only a birthday celebration.