When hitchhiking, never forget the generous person who provided passage using their vehicle. Other acts of kindness are shown throughout Cannery Row, but many of them unfortunately end in complete and utter disaster. Nevertheless, generosity is found in many of the characters introduced in this novel. Because this great work of literature is set during the time when America was at its lowest, the Great Depression, it raises the issue of wealth as a key contribution to an individual's character. Does lack of money affect the generous nature of individuals? A crowd of impecunious people roam the streets of the small town of Cannery Row, California. In John Steinbeck's Cannery Row, life becomes increasingly difficult as the necessities of life become more expensive than the average citizen can afford. In a city where people are always in desperate need of money, the generosity of others becomes necessary to society. Each character experiences the lack of money and the constraints that come with it, whether they are naturally generous or not. Generous individuals find ways other than money to express their altruism to others. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay Almost everyone in the small town of Cannery Row is plagued by the hardships of lack of money. When this problem becomes well known, the city is left in the hands of those who have the goods necessary for the ability to live. Lee Chong is the owner of the grocery store that depends on the food of the people of this town. This man is an individual who has given much to the unemployed and greedy people living in this community (7 Steinbeck). When Lee knew his grocery store customers had a table of malnourished children waiting for them at home and they had no money to buy their items, he allowed them to shop and pay later, knowing he would never get the money (6). Lee Chong gave to the people in his community the only way he could. He couldn't give them money or work, so he gave them food. Although Lee Chong quickly grew rich from unpaid debts by impecunious members of the community, he never failed to give to those in need throughout history. Another character who ignored his unfortunate finances, but still gave when he could, was Mack. Mack was a gentle soul with a rough exterior, but despite these qualities, he sought to throw a party for the kindest and most caring man in Cannery Row (29). Mack is a penniless character who worked more than the average person to get supplies and food for this party (46). In throwing this party, Mack committed illegal acts and made promises he could not be sure he could keep (56). He risked his life just to throw a party for this man, because showing gratitude was very important to him (82). Although he had no money, he performed manual labor in exchange for necessary items (94). Mack is a character whose generosity grew into a beautiful flower that never failed to give. Dora Flood enriches the entire history of Cannery Row with her kind spirit and comforting nature. Dora is the owner of the Cannery Row brothel and when she made what profit she could from this business, she decided during these times to help pay the grocery bills of desperate families (Steinbeck 18 ). After continuing to demonstrate this generosity.