Katie Barnes, Ashley Otah, Stefan Matic
Susan Fajardo
AP Literature
2 Nov. 2015
Collaborative Essay: The Moral Ambiguity of Mack
One’s temperament is complex, compiled with layers of conflicting good and evil nature. In John Steinbeck’s Post World- War novel Cannery Row, Mack- a morally ambiguous character, is steadily at odds with himself, struggling to balance his selfish nature with the heavy weight of morality. Macks’ issues sprout from the selfishness that is deeply rooted within him and the community that perpetuates it. Thus, he battles against his greedy nature for the sake of the people around him, consequently broadening his view of life.
Mack is in many ways a generous con-artist continuing the moral ambiguity of his character.