Biblical Symbols and Symbolism in John Steinbecks East of Eden :: East Eden Essays

Biblical Symbolism in easterly of Eden John Steinbeck includes more of the tale of Genesis 4 than is in truth told in the bible. The basis of this is a Jewish novel involving twin sisters of both Cain and Abel. The two disputed over Abels twin whom Abel was to marry. Cain murdered Abel and adopt the twin sister of his brother (Fonterose, Joseph. p.3380). The story differs also in that it is Abel who leaves his fireside instead of Cain. Abel found his Eden, represented by Salinas V alley, but lost it later on fathering a second generation very similar to the first, Caleb representing Cain and Aron representing Abel (Fonterose, Joseph. p.3379). The story is changed by Steinbeck to illustrate the idea that men naturally have both unsloped and atrocious tendencies within them, and that this mixture compels men to choose between the two. The story told is similar to an alternate interpretation of Genesis 4 called timshel. This alternate practice introduces the idea that Cain fee ls evil and kills Abel because of the jealousy he feels towards his brother and Gods love for Abel (Levant, Howard. p.243). The relationship of acceptable to evil is found in some different ways throughout East of Eden. One way is the adversary between the two. Such a relationship is illustrated through the Cain and Abel allusions in the novel. other relationship is that the two must coexist. This relation is represented by the comer of both the church and the brothel in town at the kindred time. Good comes from evil is the third relationship. Cathy making Adam appear all the more pure shows this relation. The last relationship is that both terms be relative (Fonterose, Joseph. p.3381). Caleb Trask is illustrated as being a man more evil than others are. This innate wickedness varies from the immoral values of other characters such(prenominal) as Charles or Cathy-Kate. The wickedness is attributed to Calebs ability to choose between good and evil and his choo blurtg of the la tter (Levant, Howard. p.240). In East of Eden, good is associated with individual morals. Examples of such would be abstinence from sexual activity and virtues like generosity and self-respect. hatred is illustrated through acts such as prostitution and murder (Fonterose, Joseph. p. 3381). Sex is interact as a carnal act that cannot be good. It is a sin where in other Steinbeck novels, it would be easily accepted.