In John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, the archetypal mother figure of Olive Hamilton, who is modeled after the author’s own mother, is sharply contrasted with the novel’s antagonist, the ultimate anti-mother figure of Cathy Ames. This juxtaposition of characters highlights not only Olive’s loving, selfless nature, but also Cathy’s diabolical, egocentric one. In Chapter fourteen of East of Eden, Steinbeck presents his readers with the first description of his mother’s character, explaining that she was a woman of beauty, poise, pride, and humor. The ultimate testimony to Olive’s character, however, is given on page 151: “Olive had great courage. Perhaps it takes courage to raise children”. This quiet bravery led her through her life as a mother, her career as a teacher, her service to her community, and her mission to protect her country by selling Liberty Bonds during World War II. Every one of these actions is also evidence of …show more content…
When the author developed pleural pneumonia as a child, Olive personally nursed him back to health, bringing in the best doctors and working tirelessly to find a remedy for her son’s deadly illness. On the other hand, when Cathy was confronted with the prospect of raising her newborn twin boys, she isolated herself in her room before eventually abandoning them entirely. Olive’s actions show the resilience and determination of a good mother, while Cathy’s actions are simply those of a coward. Steinbeck does a masterful job of contrasting Olive and Cathy as characters even though they never cross paths in East of Eden. Cathy’s vengeful, egotistical nature is offset perfectly by Olive’s pure intentions and maternal devotion, making Olive a perfect foil to Cathy. With this contrast, Steinbeck teaches his readers what his mother taught her students: it takes true courage to care, to love, and to be a
In the novel “East ofela Eden,” the author John Steinbeck uses a biblical reference forshadowing the fate of each charicter. Notably, the reacurring names that starts with “A” and “C”, referring to Cain and Abel from the bible, the sons of Adam and Eve. Additionallt, Cain out of spite kills Abel because God accepts Abel’s offering rather than Cains. In the novel the charicters who are sinful have names that begin with C-Caleb, Cathy, Charles, and Cyrus and the “good” charicaters have names start start with A such as Adam, Aron, and Abra. Furthermore the relationship bewteen Cain and Abel is quite similar to Charles and Adam becuase Charles once tries to kill Adam.
The worst bearing of both Rowlandson and Equiano has to face was being separated from their own love ones. Rowlandson was separated from her family and relations when her village was attacked then eventually lost her only child that was with her. Nevertheless, Equiano also endured tormented pain when he was parted from his sister while she was the only comfort to him at once. He was a young boy in a fearful atmosphere with nothing to convey a positive perspective. “It was vain that [they] besought than not to part us; she was torn from [him], and immediately carried away, while [he] was left in a state of distraction not to be describe”.
It is far better to know, to see than to be blind. Yet, ignorance is bliss right? In East of Eden, John Steinbeck explores the attributes that result from personal blindness, compared to personal awareness. Written in 1951, East of Eden is jam packed with examples of these two conditions. However, none illustrated in more depth than in the characters of Cal and Aron.
John Steinbeck’s renown allegory East of Eden explores the characteristics of human nature, including the potent principle of free will. Steinbeck’s use of rhetorical strategies throughout the passage enables him to illustrate his message, emphasizing the significance of creativity in the essence of humanity and the threats against it. Steinbeck utilizes various elements of vivid language, rhetorical appeal, and style to elucidate his argument, urging individuals to fight for their free will and to assert their individuality. Steinbeck’s use of metaphor in the first paragraph depicts the extent of the significance of free will through his vivid comparison of individuality to the “glory [that] lights up the mind of a man.” (Steinbeck 1)
Cathy Ames makes choices based on how it will benefit herself and makes sure she will prosper from the choices, even if that means destroying everyone else in the process. It appears “that Cathy… was born with tendencies, or lack of them, which drove her and forced her all of her life” (Steinbeck 72). Most humans have natural instincts that allow them to function in a civil society together. Cathy is different however, and is distinct since birth. She makes choices and plans things unlike any of the rest of society.
Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, is focused on two men and their dream of owning their own farm. On the other hand, Steinbeck's short story “The Chrysanthemums” focuses on some thirty-five-year-old woman who seems to have her heart broken from a stranger. Both of these stories from Steinbeck have in common the use of only one female character in each of these stories, but in “The Chrysanthemums,” he has his viewpoint coming from that of a woman. Along with these similarities and differences, Steinbeck also makes both the women want attention, but Elisa Allen, in “The Chrysanthemums,” is less willing to be open and give trust than Curley’s Wife is in Of Mice and Men. Both of these women present us with Steinbeck's ideas that one
This is captured by Steinbeck in the title. The title communicates that while both go through hardships,
“His whispered word seemed to hang in the air: ‘Timshel’’’ (Steinbeck 602). In East of Eden by John Steinbeck, Adam Trask says one word to forgive Caleb and free him from feeling rejected. Adam shows that he is honorable through his actions and feelings. He is against violence, he serves his time, and he pays his debts. He feels remorse for sending men into the army and will not accept money earned from war.
Throughout the story, the author made it clear that understanding between father and son can be difficult. Lots of obstacles will be thrown their way and they will do a lot to get through it together. The author, Elie Wiesel, used many examples like imagery, tone, and foreshadowing to understand what a father/son relationship is like. The examples and quotes given show that a father and his son won’t be split by anything, until death do them
She had the courage to challenge the teachers that treated her as a special needs student, and rose to be a well known
East of Eden, by John Steinbeck, reflects the complexities in father/son relationships. The connection between a father and his son is vital to their development. The novel explores the impact of these relations is immense. The central allusion of the novel is comparing several characters to Cain and Abel, who were formed through their attempted relationship with their father-like figure, God. They struggled and vied for the attention, love, and respect of God, which subconsciously influenced their actions and thoughts.
In the past, Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Indeed this is true. With determination, the shy, fearful girl with a tough childhood chose her own path in life and got to where she was known today, as a heroic person who did extraordinary, positive deeds for humanity. A real hero is someone who shows courage, selflessness, willingness, as well as empathy to others by his or her actions. Proving to people that women can handle many difficult tasks, supporting human rights, along with turning the role of first lady into more than just greeting guests at the White House has definitely shown that Eleanor Roosevelt is truly an influential hero in U.S History.
Edwards, who falls in love with her and gives her a lot of money and gifts. Soon he finds out who she really is and what she did, he takes her to a small town to Connecticut, where he beats her almost to her death and leaves her there (East of Eden 130). Cathy manages to crawl to the Trask farm, where she finds help and comfort by the two brothers (East of Eden 146). Adam falls in love with her immediately, but Charles sees right through her. As she is getting better, she manipulates Adam into asking her to marry her (East of Eden, 154).
Once upon a time, there were a set of twins born into a corrupt household. One of the twins was secretly jealous of the other, which resulted him taking his own brother’s life. This tragedy occurs in the novel, East of Eden, written by John Steinbeck. East of Eden is about several families being brought together and having love-hate relationships. The characters in the novel are separated into two different name groups, C and A.
“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). John Steinbeck’s work, East of Eden, is the one he considered to be his greatest, with all novels before leading up to it. Indeed, it grandly recounts the stories of the human race as told by the Bible, including Adam and Eve, but most prominently that of Cain and Abel. It touches upon both Steinbeck’s own family and a fictional family in a depiction of “man 's capacity for both good and evil” (Fontenrose). Joseph Fontenrose, however, criticizes Steinbeck’s message as contradictory and convoluted, with no clear relationship between good and evil.