Essay - East of Eden John Steinbeck's Story Centers on Two Generations...

East of Eden

John Steinbeck's story centers on two generati*****s ***** the Hamilton and Trask families. "East of Eden" is essentially a modern-day 'Cain and Abel' tale corresponding ***** Biblical conflict to two generations ***** two sets of brothers, Charles and Adam Trask, and *****'s sons Aron and Caleb Trask. "The *****s were h***** 'symbol people,'" Steinbeck insisted, "***** t*****eir story was one about how one lives with human suffering" (Summary pg).

Cyrus, the Trask patriarch, favored Adam over his other son *****, which led to lifelong conflict and an adulterous affair between Charles and ********** bride, Cathy, who represents Eve in Ste*****beck's ***** and ***** tale. The ***** correlation continues in***** the next generation of Trasks ***** Adam's treatment ***** ***** tw***** sons Aron and Caleb, favoring Aron over Cal and creating great ***** for Cal and drama ***** the entire family (Steinbeck 2003).

***** good or evil, the women in *****'s novel are strong in character and are developed by their roles within their respective patriarchal *****. Alice, Cyrus' second wife is a relatively quiet woman who seldom shows emotion, however, she has rock determination. Cathy, Adam's first wife, is a murderous prostitute, and although evil to the c*****e of her soul, she ***** strong ***** determined to live her life with no guilt or ***** thoughts as to ***** actions.

Liza, Samuel Hamilton's wife, is a ***** of high moral character devoted completely to her husband and family. Abra Bacon, whose fat***** is a corrupt county superv*****or, is a comp*****sion*****te young woman who first falls in love with Aron but later becomes involved with Cal ***** through him learns to accept that her fat*****'s sins ***** not hers to bear (Steinbeck 2003).

Steinbeck's male ********** are portrayed with all the flaws, strengths and weaknesses attributed ***** humanity. None of his male characters are truly *****, as is Cathy, however, Cyrus ***** his son ***** ***** ***** as manipulative and disreputable, ***** is Abra's father. Adam is seen as good-hearted and innocent to Cathy's evil, as is his son Aron. *****eb, on the other hand is more like h***** grandfather and uncle, manipulative and fiery, although, un***** them, he redeems himself through acceptance ***** finds peace. Lee, *****'s housekeeper is an educated philosophical man who understands and accepts h***** stati***** in life. The Hamiltons are less controversial characters. Samuel is a well-respected, self-***** man who loves h***** wife and family. George, his oldest son, is rather regal, Will is a pr*****ctical conservative, Tom is p*****sionate, while Joe, the *****est ***** studious (Steinbeck 2003).

It is interesting that Steinbeck's women are ***** strong determined ***** and ***** most evil character in the novel is a wom*****n. This seems to suggest that ***** the ***** centers on the 'Cain and Abel' ***** ***** the ***** characters, ***** females ***** the foundation, the root. The conflicts of the br*****s and ***** progress ***** ***** generations until at last Caleb is able to come to terms ***** putting the issues in perspective