In the offbeat novel Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, Mack and the Boys are significant characters that represent a great deal more than one would think. Though they may seem to be brutal and somewhat untrustworthy, they understand, more than most, what life is really all about, and in essence, are "true philosophers." .
"I think they"re just like anyone else. They just haven't any money They could get it They could ruin their lives and get money. Mack has qualities of genius. They"re all very clever if they want something. They just know the nature of things too well to be caught in that wanting." (142) Doc, the owner of a specimen supply house in Cannery Row, knows the nature of the boys quite well. Though they are not rich, he knows that they have what they need to survive. .
They live in a run-down fishmeal shack owned by Lee Chong, the grocer of the Row. Eddie, one of the boys, works at a local bar, and brings home remnants of drinks, making him extremely popular within the group. Mack, the "leader" is the smartest of them all, and is able to use his charm to get what he and the boys want. One of the boys even goes as far to say that Mack could be the President, but he would not want to because it would not be fun. Another one of the boys, Hazel, is essentially the hardest worker, and often accompanies Doc on trips to collect specimen. Gay, the last of the boys, is a skilled mechanic, and lives with the boys because his wife beats him. Together, they comprise a strange group that support and work for not only themselves but also each other. Their bond is extremely important; it provides them with companionship and also helps them to fill the gaps within themselves. What one does not have, another must. .
"The things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest are the traits of success.