East of Eden Part IV

Cal Understands father and wants to help him Wants to make himself good – “’My father is good,’ he said. ‘I want to make it up to him because I am not good’” (481) Realizes he has the choice “Timshel” – He chooses to overcome sin

Abra Forms bond with Lee Understands Aron’s need for a mother – “’I figure Aron needed a mother more than Cal did. And I think he always blamed his father’” (496) Transfers the idyllic image of mother onto Abra Abra begins to understand Cal – “’I’m not good either’” (500)

Cal Suspense – “It wasn’t Aron’s day. It was Cal’s day. He had carved this day out for himself and he wanted it. He meant to have it” (538). Adam rejects money Rejects Cal – “”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. Money, even clean money, doesn’t stack up with that’” (544)

Cal Lee serves as catalyst between Cal and Adam – “’He couldn’t help it, Cal. That’s his nature. It was the only way he knew. He didn’t have a choice. But you have. Don’t you hear me? You hace a choice’” (544) Timshel Choice to understand Adam and his reaction With

Cal “She saw the face f the blond and beautiful boy, his eyes mad with shock. She heard his ugly words aimed not so much at her as at himself. And she say his dark brother leaning against the door and laughing” (548) – Cal becomes the Cain figure – Tries to ruin Aron’s goodness – Due to rejection “With rejection comes anger, with anger comes crime, with crime comes guilt- that is the story of man” –Steinbeck

Kate “Well, had anything or anybody ever really touched Kate- really got through and soiled her? Certainly not.” (512) – No remorse or feeling – Thinks she is still beautiful and untouchable – “The smart one- the dark- one bothered her. He was like Charles. She had respected Charles…” (512) Wants to get back at Cal and trick Aron

Kate “They had something she lacked, and she didn’t know what it was” (553). He [Cal] didn’t have to speak. The glint of his eyes said, ‘You missed something. They had something and you missed it’” (554) – Even in death tries to corrupt the innocence and purity of Aron

Aron Doesn’t appreciate the love his father has and Cal yearns for it Feels his father is a failure and liar Doesn’t see he lied to shield sons – “’Sometimes I think the world tests us most sharply then, and we turn inward and watch ourselves with horror. But that’s not the worst. We think everybody is seeing into us. Then dirt is very dirty and purity is shining white’” (493) – Causes Aron to want true purity and goodness in retaliation to his mother’s evil

Aron Tries to create purity in his life Projects it onto Abra – “and Abra- well, of Abra he made his immaculate dream and, having created her, fell in love with her” (524) – Idealizes her – Becomes antithesis to Kate

Cal Drives Aron away – “’Am I supposed to look after him?’” (564) Biblical allusion Cain responded “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Murdered Aron’s innocence when took him to Kate’s

Cal “Maybe you have a little more energy than most, just energy, but outside of that you’re very like all the other snot-nosed kids. Are you trying to attract dignity and tragedy to yourself because your mother was a whore?” – Some people irredeemably evil and incorruptibly good – He is like all humans and has a choice

Cal Shift in hope for Aron now for Cal – Abra shares a bond with Cal “He [Aron] wanted the story and he wanted it to come out his way. He couldn’t stand to have it come out any other way” (577)

Adam Static character – “’Oh my poor darling!’” (561) – In spite of her cruelty – Still idealizes Aron and refuses to let go of the dream – Aron the same and runs from the truth

Aron Juxtaposition of life and death – “It’s a pleasant little stream that gurgles through the Alisal against the Gabilan Mountains on the east of the Salinas Valley. The water bumbles over round stones and washes the polished roots of the trees that hold it in” (591). Adam feeling better Lee planning his garden – “A black weariness fell on Lee, a hopelessness that pressed his shoulders down” (593). – Life is always in a state of flux – Unending cycle of life and death – “God, how I hate a coward!” (593) Aron for running away

Timshel “I killed my brother. I’m a murderer” (597). “’He did a thing in anger, Adam, because he thought you had rejected him. The result of his anger is that his brother and your son is dead…Your son is marked with guilt out of himself…Don’t crush him with rejection’” (602) – Adam must give Cal his blessing so he can make the choice to live a good life – Adam gives Cal ultimate gift of generosity and goodness – Lee catalyst for all resolutions Cal and Abra being together Forgiveness of Adam Forgiveness of himself [Cal]