Theme
What is the key to happiness in the novel? What is the overriding message of the novel?
"Timshel" (Hebrew Translation)
“Don’t you see? . . . The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin, and you call sin ignorance. The King James translation makes a promise in ‘Thou shalt,’ meaning that men will surely triumph over sin. But the Hebrew word, the word timshel—‘Thou mayest’—that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open.” --Lee from East of Eden Chapter 24
The overriding message of the novel can be interpreted from Steinbeck’s use of religious allusions, paralleled biblical plot, repeated use of father figures, dualities including good and evil, and most of all, his inclusion of certain characters that act as symbols that represent a completely separate entity. This quote, taken from Chapter 24, exemplifies Steinbeck’s use of Lee’s character to play a minute plot role but a very important role in the message of the novel. Lee’s quoting of this word, “timshel,” is one of the largest clues that tie in the meaning to this battle between good and evil in a world where freedom is given with a price. This saying, in the Bible refers to when God speaks to Cain, ordering him or promising him that he will defeat sin. This phrase, however, is translated differently in Hebrew as it is translated directly to:
“Thou mayest.”
Without a promise and without an order.
This highlights the entire meaning of the novel. The “Eden” represented in the novel is paralleled to that of the “Eden” in the bible. The safe haven where there are no predators and most of all, no sin. The original sin committed by Eve sends them to the East of Eden, where though they suffer from the temptation of sin and evil, they carry their own right to freedom. They have, the right to choose. This idea is embedded in each battle in this novel. Cathy’s evil grasp on Adam who is good at heart never relents and though he gives up to temptation, his morals and love do not stray from the good. This freedom to choose is what the novel is about. The liberty to hold both sides of the valley: the east and west. The valley, representing the middle ground of choice and freedom, hold the benefits but also hold the temptations that seduce the weak.
The key to happiness, according to Steinbeck’s portrayal of the characters, especially Adam and Cathy, is to live within the freedoms we are given but to never abuse that power and choose willingly, the life except from evil. To acknowledge that Eden is not a right for everyone is born amidst two worlds: the good and bad, life and death.
It is not a promise from God that gives us the strength to surpass the temptation of sin. It is the promise from Him that we have the right to choose as we please.
“Don’t you see? . . . The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin, and you call sin ignorance. The King James translation makes a promise in ‘Thou shalt,’ meaning that men will surely triumph over sin. But the Hebrew word, the word timshel—‘Thou mayest’—that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open.” --Lee from East of Eden Chapter 24
The overriding message of the novel can be interpreted from Steinbeck’s use of religious allusions, paralleled biblical plot, repeated use of father figures, dualities including good and evil, and most of all, his inclusion of certain characters that act as symbols that represent a completely separate entity. This quote, taken from Chapter 24, exemplifies Steinbeck’s use of Lee’s character to play a minute plot role but a very important role in the message of the novel. Lee’s quoting of this word, “timshel,” is one of the largest clues that tie in the meaning to this battle between good and evil in a world where freedom is given with a price. This saying, in the Bible refers to when God speaks to Cain, ordering him or promising him that he will defeat sin. This phrase, however, is translated differently in Hebrew as it is translated directly to:
“Thou mayest.”
Without a promise and without an order.
This highlights the entire meaning of the novel. The “Eden” represented in the novel is paralleled to that of the “Eden” in the bible. The safe haven where there are no predators and most of all, no sin. The original sin committed by Eve sends them to the East of Eden, where though they suffer from the temptation of sin and evil, they carry their own right to freedom. They have, the right to choose. This idea is embedded in each battle in this novel. Cathy’s evil grasp on Adam who is good at heart never relents and though he gives up to temptation, his morals and love do not stray from the good. This freedom to choose is what the novel is about. The liberty to hold both sides of the valley: the east and west. The valley, representing the middle ground of choice and freedom, hold the benefits but also hold the temptations that seduce the weak.
The key to happiness, according to Steinbeck’s portrayal of the characters, especially Adam and Cathy, is to live within the freedoms we are given but to never abuse that power and choose willingly, the life except from evil. To acknowledge that Eden is not a right for everyone is born amidst two worlds: the good and bad, life and death.
It is not a promise from God that gives us the strength to surpass the temptation of sin. It is the promise from Him that we have the right to choose as we please.
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