When hitchhiking, never forget the generous person who provided passage using their vehicle. Other acts of kindness are displayed throughout Cannery Row, but many of them sadly end in complete and utter disaster. However, generosity can be found embedded in many of the characters introduced in this novel. Since this great literary work is set during the time when America was at its lowest point, the Great Depression, it raises the question of whether wealth is a key contributor to one's character. Does lack of money affect the generous nature of individuals? An abundance of penniless people roam the streets of the small town of Cannery Row, California. In Cannery Row, by John Steinbeck, living becomes increasingly difficult as the necessities of living become more expensive than the average citizen can afford. In a city where people are always in desperate need of money, the generosity provided by others becomes necessary to society. Every character experiences lack of money and the restrictions that come with it, regardless of whether they are naturally generous or not. Generous individuals find ways other than using money to express their altruism to others. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Almost everyone in the small town of Cannery Row is plagued by the hardships that come with the absence of money. When this becomes a well-known problem, the city is left in the hands of those who have goods necessary for their ability to live. Lee Chong is the owner of the grocery store that provides food to the people of this city. This man is an individual who has given significantly to the unemployed and hungry people living in this community (7 Steinbeck). When Lee learned that his grocery store customers had a table of malnourished children waiting for them at home and had no money to purchase their items, he allowed them to take their groceries and pay later, knowing he would never receive 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 blessed them with food. Although Lee Chong quickly grew rich from unpaid debts from penniless community members, he never failed to donate to people in need throughout history. Another character who didn't take his unfortunate finances into account, but still donated when he could was Mack. Mack was a gentle soul with a rough exterior, but despite these qualities, he tried to throw a party for the kindest and most benevolent man on Cannery Row (29). Mack is a penniless character who has worked harder than the average person would to get supplies and food for this party (46). While hosting this party, Mack committed illegal acts and made promises that he could not guarantee he could keep (56). He put his life at risk just to throw a party for this man because showing his gratitude meant a lot to him (82). Although he had no money, he performed manual labor in exchange for necessary items (94). Mack is a character whose generosity turned into a beautiful flower that never failed to give. Dora Flood enriches the entire Cannery Row story with her kind spirit and comforting nature. Dora is the owner of the Cannery Row brothel and when she was able to make what profit she could from this business, she decided in these times that she needed to help pay the grocery bills of desperate families (Steinbeck 18). After continuing with this much needed generosity, Dora is.