Cain And Abel In John Steinbeck's 'East Of Eden'
East of Eden Essay While writing East of Eden, John Steinbeck had brainstormed many potential titles for his hitherto unnamed novel, including Cain Sign. Of course before he published East of Eden in 1952, he came up with its current title, but the aforementioned former title is significant. Steinbeck undoubtedly wanted to convey that Cain and Abel were momentous to East of Eden. In many different aspects, Charles and Adam and Cal and Aron are clear allusions to Cain and Abel. Throughout East of Eden, Charles and Cal go through the same steps of being rejected, becoming envious and taking revenge, and finally coming to terms with their sins. Both Charles and Cal do not have the natural characteristics that Adam and Aron have for others
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In the King James version of the Bible, Jehovah says to Cain that “thou shalt rule over” sin (301). Although this is a promise that Cain will overcome evil, it ultimately gives him no choice over his path to liberation. The paucity of choice presented to Cain in his path is similar to the path presented to Charles. Charles has no more whims or urges to go beyond the land given to him, and even after he is presented with his father’s will money, he decides to use it to expand the farm. Rather than choosing his own path in life, he “[stays on the farm] and [rots]” (123). Although later he expresses his love in his letters during Adam’s national service, he remains barred by his calculated existence. Unlike the King James version, in the original Hebrew version of the Bible, Jehovah says to Cain that “thou mayest rule over sin”- that conquering sin is something that is decided and chosen to be done rather than a promise (303). After Cal regrettably indirectly murders Aron, Cal choses to overcome his sin, demonstrated by his apologizing to Adam. Even Adam’s last words of absolving are “Timshel!” This blessing unshackles Cal from being “[crushed] with rejection” of his past and allows him to direct his own future rather than being “alone with his guilt” (602). Although both Charles and Cal harm their brothers immensely, Cal is not constrained like Charles because of his opportunity of
In the King James version of the Bible, Jehovah says to Cain that “thou shalt rule over” sin (301). Although this is a promise that Cain will overcome evil, it ultimately gives him no choice over his path to liberation. The paucity of choice presented to Cain in his path is similar to the path presented to Charles. Charles has no more whims or urges to go beyond the land given to him, and even after he is presented with his father’s will money, he decides to use it to expand the farm. Rather than choosing his own path in life, he “[stays on the farm] and [rots]” (123). Although later he expresses his love in his letters during Adam’s national service, he remains barred by his calculated existence. Unlike the King James version, in the original Hebrew version of the Bible, Jehovah says to Cain that “thou mayest rule over sin”- that conquering sin is something that is decided and chosen to be done rather than a promise (303). After Cal regrettably indirectly murders Aron, Cal choses to overcome his sin, demonstrated by his apologizing to Adam. Even Adam’s last words of absolving are “Timshel!” This blessing unshackles Cal from being “[crushed] with rejection” of his past and allows him to direct his own future rather than being “alone with his guilt” (602). Although both Charles and Cal harm their brothers immensely, Cal is not constrained like Charles because of his opportunity of