Hazel used his trick. They got no starfish there?They got no ocean there said Doc.Oh! said Hazel and he cast frantically about for a peg to hang a new question on. He hated to have a conversation die out like this. He wasn't quick enough. While he was looking for a question Doc asked one. Hazel hated that, it meant casting about in his mind for an answer and casting about in Hazel's mind was like wandering alone in a deserted museum. Hazel's mind was choked with uncataloged exhibits. ...
In this excerpt from "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck, the characters Hazel and Doc engage in a conversation that stalls unexpectedly. Hazel becomes frustrated when he struggles to find a new topic to discuss, feeling that the silence is uncomfortable. He searches for something to say, but Doc interrupts by asking a question, which makes Hazel uneasy since he feels unprepared to respond. This highlights Hazel's anxiety and the chaotic state of his thoughts.
Hazel's internal struggle is depicted through the metaphor of his mind resembling a deserted museum filled with uncataloged exhibits. This imagery suggests that his thoughts are disorganized and overwhelming, making it difficult for him to retrieve a suitable answer or engage meaningfully. The tension in their conversation underscores the difficulties of communication and the pressures of social interaction, reflecting deeper themes in Steinbeck's work.
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