Allusions
_East of Eden centers around the story of Cain and Abel from The Bible: Genesis. Steinbeck himself had written in his book, Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters, "As I went into the story [of East of Eden]
more deeply I began to realize that without this story [of Cain and
Abel]—or rather a sense of it—psychiatrists would have nothing to do. In
other words this one story is the basis of all human neurosis—and if
you take the fall along with it, you have the total of the psychic
troubles that can happen to a human." The story of Cain and
Abel, a struggle between good and evil, is a "strange [and haunting]
story," in which Cain becomes the first murderer and Abel, the first
martyr (Steinbeck 1).
This struggle between good and evil is repeated in two instances with the two generations; first with Charles and Adam, and second with Cal and Aaron. Both generations mirror the representation of good and evil, as characterized by the two brothers. While both Cal and Charles seem to characterize the inherent evil they are born into, Cal is able to break free from this cycle. Likewise, both Adam and Aaron are portrayed as the innocent--the good--of the world. Even in 1955 movie starring James Dean, Cal introduces Aaron to his prostitute mother, saying that Aaron is "all that's good" in the world (Kazan). The characterization is hidden even within their names--Steinbeck uses names with the same letter to create a parallel between the characters--Cain, Charles, Cal, and Abel, Adam, Aaron.
Another parallel between the biblical allusion and the stories of the two generations is demonstrated in the father's favoring. In the Bible, God, the Almighty Father, chooses Abel's small pile of fat instead of Cain's produce which he devotedly offers. Similarly, with Charles and Adam, their father favors Adam's stray dog rather than the expensive pocketknife Charles buys him. With Cal and Aaron, their father rejects Cal's hard-earned money, claiming that Cal had cheated the money out of the poor. The fact that Cain, Charles, and Cal are both rejected causes them to feel as if they were less loved than the other brother, fostering jealousy that results in them harming their brothers in a bout of revenge.
In some ways, Kathy herself can be linked back as Eve. Some Bibles consider Eve the "evil" of mankind because she had convinced Adam to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, leading to their exile from the Garden of Eden. Kathy can also be considered the serpent, as well. The serpent, the creature who convinced Eve into eating the apple, symbolizes evil as it worked to harm mankind. Kathy is the character who demonstrates ultimate evil, as she was born clever and deceptive, easily and mercilessly using others to allow her to achieve her goal.
This struggle between good and evil is repeated in two instances with the two generations; first with Charles and Adam, and second with Cal and Aaron. Both generations mirror the representation of good and evil, as characterized by the two brothers. While both Cal and Charles seem to characterize the inherent evil they are born into, Cal is able to break free from this cycle. Likewise, both Adam and Aaron are portrayed as the innocent--the good--of the world. Even in 1955 movie starring James Dean, Cal introduces Aaron to his prostitute mother, saying that Aaron is "all that's good" in the world (Kazan). The characterization is hidden even within their names--Steinbeck uses names with the same letter to create a parallel between the characters--Cain, Charles, Cal, and Abel, Adam, Aaron.
Another parallel between the biblical allusion and the stories of the two generations is demonstrated in the father's favoring. In the Bible, God, the Almighty Father, chooses Abel's small pile of fat instead of Cain's produce which he devotedly offers. Similarly, with Charles and Adam, their father favors Adam's stray dog rather than the expensive pocketknife Charles buys him. With Cal and Aaron, their father rejects Cal's hard-earned money, claiming that Cal had cheated the money out of the poor. The fact that Cain, Charles, and Cal are both rejected causes them to feel as if they were less loved than the other brother, fostering jealousy that results in them harming their brothers in a bout of revenge.
In some ways, Kathy herself can be linked back as Eve. Some Bibles consider Eve the "evil" of mankind because she had convinced Adam to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, leading to their exile from the Garden of Eden. Kathy can also be considered the serpent, as well. The serpent, the creature who convinced Eve into eating the apple, symbolizes evil as it worked to harm mankind. Kathy is the character who demonstrates ultimate evil, as she was born clever and deceptive, easily and mercilessly using others to allow her to achieve her goal.
Cain and Abel
Sources
"East of Eden: Retelling the Story of Cain and Abel." Oprah.com. Oprah.com. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/East-of-Eden-Retelling-
the-Story-of-Cain-and-Abel>.
"East of Eden: Retelling the Story of Cain and Abel." Oprah.com. Oprah.com. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/East-of-Eden-Retelling-
the-Story-of-Cain-and-Abel>.
Follow our process in making this site by visiting our blogs!
Andi's Blog Ayesha's Blog Jennifer's Blog Jin's Blog Nicolle's Blog Raed's Blog_
Andi's Blog Ayesha's Blog Jennifer's Blog Jin's Blog Nicolle's Blog Raed's Blog_