East Of Eden Essay, Research Paper
Literary analysis of East of Eden
In Webster?s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word love is defined as a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. Love can bring two people together but it can also have a person be rejected by another because of love. In the novel East of Eden by John Steinbeck, the main character, Adam Trask, confronts a feeling of love throughout the whole book but he either rejects the love of people who care about him or has his love rejected by the people that he cares about. When Adam was a young man in the beginning of the novel, his father, Cyrus Trask loved him but Adam did not love him back and when Adam went into the army he did not come back home until his father?s death. Later on in the story Adam really loved his wife, Cathy, but she didn?t love him back and so when she tried to leave him and he would not let her, she shot him. Even though Adam survived he was demoralized for most of his life because he still loved her. Through Adam?s experiences of love in the novel, John Steinbeck shows that Adam Trask has an inability to handle love.
When he first appears in the novel, Adam Trask is a young man who is not loved by his brother or mother but only by his father. Cyrus had punished Adam before and had tried to teach him to be a soldier and so Adam hated him for that and when Cyrus told him he loved him, Adam did not accept his love. Cyrus tells Adam, "I think you?re a weakling who will never amount to a dog turd. Does that answer your question? I love you better. I always have. This may be a bad thing to tell you, but it?s true. I love you better. Else why would I have given myself the trouble of hurting you?" (Steinbeck 28). Cyrus is telling Adam that he has always loved him and that the only reason that he punished him is because he loved him. He wants Adam to go into the army because he knows that Adam would be courageous and since Cyrus was in the army, he wants to pass on the legacy. When Adam came home from his discharge, his brother and him were talking about their father and Adam told him the truth. "I wasn?t sure until now,? said Adam. ?I was all mixed up with how I was supposed to feel. No. I did not love him" (69). Adam is telling Charles that after thinking about it, he never loved his father and so he rejected his love. Charles is now not jealous of Adam because he knows that Adam does not love his father and he still does. In contrast to Charles?s behavior Adam rejects the only love that loved him so far in the novel.
As the novel progresses, Adam meets his one true love but she in contrast does not love him back. Adam meets Cathy Ames and then after a while he marries her but she, does not really marry him. "He breathed harshly. ?I already been with a whore.? ?You?re a pretty strong boy. Move over a little.? ?How about your broken arm?? ?I?ll take care of that. It?s not your worry.? Suddenly Charles laughed. "The poor bastard," he said, and he threw blanket to receive her" (125). Cathy shows that she does not love Adam because she goes and sleeps with his brother. This is showing that Cathy is rejecting
Adam?s love and that she is filled with hatred. Another example of Cathy showing her hatred and rejecting Adam?s love is when she leaves him. "Her voice came from so near that he jerked his head back. He heard richness in her voice. ?Dear,? she said softly, ?I didn?t know you would take it so. I?m sorry, Adam.?? she held his .44 Colt, and the black hole in the barrel pointed at him. He took a step toward her, saw that the hammer was back. She shot him" (202). Cathy had told Adam that she had not loved him and that she was going to leave him but because he loved her so much, he did not let her go and so she shot him. Adam?s inability to handle love caused Cathy to shoot him because he could not control his love for her and that it almost cost him his life. Not only did Adam lose his only love of his life but also his twin sons would have no mother.
Later in the story, Adam builds a binding love between his two twin sons, except there is only one problem in the love that Adam builds. Adam really loves his good son Aron and rejects his dark son Caleb, when Aron begins to hate Adam and Caleb begins to really love him. When the Trask family move to Salinas, Adam tries to have an iceberg lettuce traveling company. His idea fails and so everyone at school calls Aron Lettuce Head; Aron never forgave Adam. "Suddenly Aron broke down. ?I want to go away. It?s a dirty town.?? ?I don?t belong here. I wish we hadn?t ever come here. I don?t know what?s the matter with me. I want to go away." His voice rose to a wail (493). Aron is just upset that his father failed at the lettuce company. He is ashamed of Adam and rejects Adam?s love that Adam is trying to give him. Unlike Caleb, Aron is self-centered and only cares for himself but Adam does not realize that so he still rejects Caleb. "I don?t want the money, Cal. And the lettuce?I don?t? think I did that for a profit? ?No. I won?t ever want it. I would have been so happy if you could have given me—well, what your brother has—pride in the thing he?s doing, gladness in his progress" (543-544). Cal is trying to show Adam that he loves by giving him the money that he lost on his lettuce company but Adam is rejecting his love. Adam still loves Aron more than Cal even though Aron does not love him back but Adam wants Cal to be like Aron not knowing that Aron is a bad person. Adam Trask tries to force his love into the people that do not love him but refuses to the end, to accept the love of his son Caleb.
Throughout the whole novel Adam Trask struggles with theme of love, and the author John Steinbeck shows Adam?s inability to handle love. At first, his father loves Adam but Adam does not love him back. Then as Adam gives his love out to Cathy and Aron, they reject it like it was not even there; and when Aron and Cathy die at the end and Adam realizes that only Cal did love him, he does not praise him but only tells him timshel which means thou mayest. Steinbeck, throughout the whole novel showed what love can do to people and how rejection can imply on the ability of handling love but at the end you still ask yourself: What is love? According to East of Eden, there is no answer.
Другие работы по теме:
Maggie Obituary Essay Research Paper Margaret Johnson
Maggie Obituary Essay, Research Paper Margaret Johnson, only daughter of Mary Murphy: found dead in the East River at age 23 Margaret Johnson, also called Maggie, was a successful seamstress and the only daughter of Mary Murphy died on November 19 in the East River where she was spotted floating atop the freezing cold water.
Parent Relationships Essay Research Paper In many
Parent Relationships Essay, Research Paper In many of the works of literature I have read in this particular class, I noticed that many of the characters are parents. Which leads me to ask the following questions? How are parent/child relationships represented in early literature and how do these representations compare with representations, either real or literary, in our society?
Life Of Equiano Essay Research Paper Olaudah
Life Of Equiano Essay, Research Paper Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa) was kidnapped from his African village at the age of eleven. Shipped through the ardous “Middle Passge” of the Altantic Ocean. More than two centuries later, this work is recognized not only as one of the first works written in English by a former slave, but perhaps more important as the paradigm of the slave narrative, a new literary genre.
East Francia Economy Essay Research Paper Booty
East Francia Economy Essay, Research Paper Booty, tribute and lan had been driving force of Eastern Empire revival on 8th century, contued in ninth century.? But also general population increase after
Significance Of Cain And Able Story In
East Of Ede Essay, Research Paper While Samuel, Adam, and Lee are trying to pick names for the twins a biblical reference to the Cain and Abel story arises. The three men have an elaborate conversation about the story which leads to the conclusion that the nature of man has characteristics of both good and evil, and the Cain and Abel story precisely names and describes those characteristics.
Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Book Of
Genesis Essay, Research Paper The Epic Of Gilgamesh is an important Middle East literary work, written in cuneiform on 12 clay tablets about 2000 BC by the oldest human author that we can name. The Epic tells the story of a great Mesopotamian king,Gilgamesh,who finds his kindered spirit and goes on a spiritual quest for understanding of death and the after life.
Isolation Form Love In The Film
“east Of Eden” Essay, Research Paper East of Eden by John Steinbeck is an optimistic film about a boy becoming a man and trying desperately to earn the love of his father and mother in the troubled times of the Great Depression. Cal, the main character is a troubled teen who lives with his entrepreneur father, and a brother who is following closely in his fathers steps.
Violence Against Woman Essay Research Paper Essay
Violence Against Woman Essay, Research Paper Essay #3 Literary Analysis Writing Seminar March 20, 2000 Throughout the novel East of Eden, John Seinbeck constructs his characters in such a way that they appear to have enormous depth. Steinbeck creates his characters so that it is impossible for the reader to label or stereotype his characters.
Fall Of Man Essay Research Paper The
Fall Of Man Essay, Research Paper The Fall of Man Over the course of time, there have been many interpretations of man’s fall from grace, as told by the Bible. Among the literary interpretations are those of John Milton’s Paradise Lost and the American poet Louis Untermeyer’s “Eve Speaks.” John Milton’s epic poem deals with the entire story of man’s fall from grace, including background for Satan’s motives.
Wuthering HeightsBronte Essay Research Paper Critique Wuthering
Wuthering Heights-Bronte Essay, Research Paper Critique- Wuthering Hieghts Wuthering Hieghts is the prototype of all the gothic novels. It contains all the literary elements such as, symbolism, supernatural, and the dark solemn mood classic to all gothic novels. Although the book was well written and rich with literary devices, it did not retain my attention.
Epilogue Justinian And The Reconquest Of The
Mediterranean Essay, Research Paper 532 ? Justinian tries to break loose from circle ? enormous um money to East ? beats Vandals and then contends with Ostrogoths and Persian almost simultaneously. Did he know it was
Paradise Lost Essay Research Paper Where Connotations
Paradise Lost Essay, Research Paper Where Connotations Serve to Clarify Julнan Marнas, a Spanish philosopher proves to be no exception to the numerous writers attempting to describe California?s effect on both visitors and residents alike almost predictably invoking the idea of paradise in their evaluation.
East Timor Essay Research Paper The Indonesian
East Timor Essay, Research Paper The Indonesian invasion and occupation of East Timor is one of the worst atrocities of this century. The occupation has claimed the lives of over 200,000 Timorese people, one-third of the
Essay Writing Essay Research Paper email 7cdgqlinkqueensucaEssay
Essay Writing Essay, Research Paper email: 7cdg@qlink.queensu.caEssay Writing An essay is a literary composition. The purpose of a good formal essay is to try out an idea, thesis, or opinion, within the confines of a proper literary composition. To do this successfully one must know their topic, formulate a thesis, and finally write the essay.
Watership Down 2 Essay Research Paper Watership
Watership Down 2 Essay, Research Paper Watership Down as Good Literature Watership Down, by Richard Adams, is considered good literature because of the literary techniques and because of the plot. Several literary techniques are used to pull the reader in and the plot is a well constructed to hold their attention.
East Of Eden Essay Research Paper The
East Of Eden Essay, Research Paper The American Heritage Dictionary defines jealousy as apprehensive of losing affection or position; Resentful or bitter in rivalry; envious. Throughout the novel of East of Eden there are many unfortunate incidents which happen that are caused by anger, hatred, and wickedness.
East Of Eden Essay Research Paper In
East Of Eden Essay, Research Paper In his novel, East of Eden, John Steinbek incorporates a rather hackneyed motif: Mankind’s struggle between Good and Evil. Steinbek, in indirect defense of his work’s central theme, claims that this perpetual battle is truly the only human story worth telling: “We have only one story.
East Of Eden BookMovie Comparison Essay Research
Paper East of Eden: Book / Movie Explanation John Steinbeck?s epic tale, East of Eden, is portrayed very accurately in Elia Kazan?s film adaptation of the novel. Though the screen adaptation of East of Eden is an
Spring Essay Research Paper George Manley Hopkin
Spring Essay, Research Paper George Manley Hopkin s poem, Spring is a sonnet. The poem deals with the rebirth of a soul. Hopkins writes his poem about the season of spring. Within the poem, Hopkins uses imagery as well as literary devices to portray his meaning.
Biblical Symbolism In East Of Eden Essay
, Research Paper Biblical Symbolism in John Steinbeck s work East of Eden John Steinbeck is considered to be one of the most talented American writers of all time. Most of his works are regarded highly by critics and celebrated as magnificent forms of twentieth-century literature. Steinbeck s style remains consistent throughout many of his works; he almost always incorporates the Bible.
Vision Essay Research Paper Literary analysis Vision
Vision Essay, Research Paper Literary analysis: Vision Out of the Corner of One Eye. The main character of “Vision out of the Corner of One Eye “, a short story by Luisa Valezuela, goes through a complete one hundred-eighty degree change over the course of the story.
Romanticism Entrance To A Wood Essay Research
Paper Essay-Inscription for the Entrance to a Wood Romanticism is a revolt against rationalism. The poets and authors of this time wrote about God, religion, and Beauty in nature. The romantics held a conviction that imagination and emotion are superior to reason. One such author is William Cullen Bryant, he wrote the poem Inscription for the Entrance to a Wood.
Paradise Essay Research Paper Where Connotations Serve
Paradise Essay, Research Paper Where Connotations Serve to Clarify Jul an Mar as, a Spanish philosopher proves to be no exception to the numerous writers attempting to describe California s effect on both visitors and residents alike almost predictably invoking the idea of paradise in their evaluation.
Literary Techniques Essay Research Paper 1 ImageryImagery
Literary Techniques Essay, Research Paper 1. Imagery Imagery is one of the main techniques used through out Waiting for Godot. The first image that appears is a tree. This simple tree in the middle of a desolate setting alludes to many symbols. To start, the tree represents the Tree of Knowledge, for it creates a reverse Garden of Eden.
East Of Edan Essay Research Paper John
East Of Edan Essay, Research Paper John Steinbeck In the novel, East of Eden by John Steinbeck, Catherine Ames is one of the main characters. She is introduced to the reader as a monster and
The Hammer Of Eden Essay Research Paper
The Hammer of Eden, written by Ken Follett, is a story of a hippie group in northern California, whose mountain home is in danger of becoming a lake. The group takes extraordinary measures to make sure this doesn’t happen. Under the leadership of the main character Richard Granger, better known as Priest the group steals a seismic vibrator to cause earthquakes to make sure their valley doesn’t become a lake.
What Is It Mean To Be A
Human Essay, Research Paper The Old Testament begins with creation of earth and lives on earth. After that we read about creation of different creatures and creation of a man. God made man and female in his image and put him above all other creatures. God creates man from dust and put him in the Garden of Eden. He also creates woman from man’s rib.
Moby Dick By Herman Melville (1819 -
– 1891) Essay, Research Paper Moby Dick, or, The White Whale is a book of amazing depth. It can be read on several levels: for over a century it has captivated young readers, naturalists, historians and literary scholars
Huck Essay Research Paper Elements of Racism
Huck Essay, Research Paper Elements of Racism in Huckleberry Finn Despite all the criticism, of racism and other questionable material for young readers, Mark Twain?s The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn is a superbly written novel, which in the opinion of this reviewer should not be remove the literary cannon.