Plot:
East of Eden displays an instance of Parallel Plot which revolves around Cathy Ames. Amidst her daily life, Cathy always knew how to control her emotions and appear innocent to mask her devious mind. However, when Cathy became drunk, her act would shatter and her true self would be revealed. Her rage would boil up to the point that she could no longer control them. Cathy's first incident occurred when Mr. Edwards offered her champagne. After many drinks, Cathy no longer was able to control her thoughts. "You fat slug. What do you know about me? Do you think I can't read every rotten thought you ever had? You wonder where a nice girl like me learned tricks. I learned them in cribs-you hear?-cribs. I've worked in places you never even heard of-four years. I know every nerve in your lousy body and I can use them" (Ch.9, p.96). This slip-up is significant to the plot because it shows that one of Cathy's rare weaknesses is drinking. We know that her downfall may come when she says things she isn't supposed to. Another similar incident occurred while Cathy was with Faye. It was a party, and Faye insisted on a few drinks. Immediately, Cathy's innocent act began to fall apart as her true wickedness shone through. "I didn't want to drink the wine. But you, you nasty fat worm, you made me...Dear Mother, sweet fat Mother, take down the pants of one of my regulars. Look at the heelmarks on the groin-very pretty. And the little cuts that bleed for a long time. Oh, Mother dear, I've got the sweetest set of razors all in a case-and so sharp, so sharp..." (Ch.20, p.236). After Faye heard this, she was so shocked and horrified that she began to scream. Cathy nearly got herself into deep trouble, ruining her potential plans. Cathy's two drinking incidents demonstrate Parallel Plot because two similar events repeated itself: Cathy got drunk, told her wicked secrets, and lost the trust of those who believed her act. Parallel episodes may be used in a story's plot because it hints a significance in the storyline. They may cause readers to think, "Since this event occurred more than once, it may be something important to note and remember".
Character:
Olive Hamilton is a very stubborn, yet headstrong woman. When Olive needed something to be done, it was done. And it was done the way she wanted it. When her only son John, was caught with pneumonia , Olive did everything in her will to save him. She called ministers, mothers, and nuns to pray. She used every magic and herbal medicine she could get her hands on. She even brought the town's best nurses and doctors to treat her son. In the end, John survived the killer disease. After nine weeks in bed, John strained to get up, but the pain was too great. "I can't do it! I can't get up!" (Ch.14, p.150). But Olive wouldn't have any of that. "Get up! Your father has worked all day and sat up all night. He has gone into debt for you. Now get up!" (Ch. 14, p. 150). And her son got up. Her sense of determination and non-tolerance for weakness showed how stubborn of a person Olive was. However, her strength to fight on while her only son could've died showed a great sense of how headstrong she was. Another example that demonstrates these qualities occurred during World War I. Olive began to receive recognition after her sales went up. Eventually, she was invited for a very honorable ride in an army airplane. However, Olive believed that going on the plane would be like a death sentence. Even so, Olive knew she could not back down and made preparations for what she believed would be her death. Once on the plane, Olive had a misunderstanding and thought that the pilot was having great difficulties. She decided to encourage him to give him hope. But instead, she gave him the impression that she wanted more stunts. The pilot later commented, "She's the goddamest woman I ever saw. I tore up the rule book and she wanted more. Good Christ, what a pilot she would have made!" (Ch. 14, p.155). Going into a situation in which she thought she would die shows that Olive Hamilton was extremely brave and headstrong. Not everyone meets death so graciously. Stubbornness and headstrong can be very useful qualities to possess. While too much stubbornness can be a little difficult to get along with, the perfect dose shows that you are confident with what you believe in.
Conflict:
It has been one entire year, yet Adam Trask still suffers with an internal conflict: he is still not over Cathy Ames. When Samuel visits Adam Trask, he is offered no friendly welcome nor hospitality. Samuel confronts Adam about his feelings for Cathy, and whether he has any hatred towards her or not. To this Adam replied: "No. No-only a kind of sinking in the heart. Maybe later I'll sort it out to hatred. There was no interval from loveliness to horror, you see. I'm confused, confused" (Ch.22, p.260) It has been an entire year, and Adam still seems very frustrated and does not have a clear mind. It's clear that he has given Cathy much thought, but he is still unsure of how he feels. This shows that an internal struggle is battling with Adam's mind. It is also evident that Cathy has been way too much on Adam's mind because Adam had been rejecting his sons. In fact, Samuel said: "I can't think in my mind of a dull man picking up a rock, who before evening would not put a name to it-like Peter. And you-for a year you've lived with your heart's draining and you've not even laid a number to one of the boys" (Ch. 22, p.259). To this, Adam replies, "Their mother left them motherless." This tells us that Adam did not even bother with his sons over the past year, because he didn't even give them names-their very identification. It's understandable that Adam was heartbroken and devastated, but it's unreasonable for him to give up on life like that. If he wanted to settle it, he could've went out to search for her. There will be times in life when we are deeply troubles with our conflicts. But you cannot just give up and ignore everything around you. You must confront your troubles or simply move on.
Theme:
As time passes, some things will change while others remain the same. Since the time period in which East of Eden took place, many things have changed. For instance, our school systems have changed significantly since Olive Hamilton's teaching period. "Olive Hamilton had not only to teach everything, but to all ages. Olive also had to practice a rudimentary medicine, for there were constant accidents...In addition, the whole social life of the area was in her hands, not only graduation exercises, but dances, meetings, debates, chorals, Christmas and May Day festivals, patriotic exudations on Decoration Day and the Fourth of July" (Ch. 14, p. 148). Evidently, Olive had a lot on her plate other than just teaching. Many teachers today do not have as much of a required load as Olive did, unless they choose to do so. The transition of a teacher's duties show that as the era moves from temporary to contemporary, there will be changes. However, time does not mean that everything is different. Many lifestyles or views may still remain the same. For instance, racism existed back then, and racism still exists today. In East of Eden, an example of racism was when Horace addressed Lee about Adam. 'Hello, Ching Chong. Bossy man here?" (Ch.18, p.205). Horace's reference to Lee as "Ching Chong" simply because he looked Chinese depicted a sense of racism. Over the years, there has been more awareness of racism, thus decreasing it by some. Nevertheless, racism still exists today. It may occur at school, or it may occur out in the streets. Racism is any example of something of the old times that still continues to exist today. The idea that some things change with time will others do not, tell us that many people are open to new ideas. This means that we can always make a positive change. Many bad practices have gone away as morals have changed over time, so this means that there are always open doors for change.
Style:
In East of Eden, John Steinbeck carries a style of directly introducing the characteristics and personality traits of his characters, rather than giving them indirectly. Faye was first introduced in chapter 19. Rather than letting readers figure out the traits of her, Faye's personality was given right out. "Faye was the motherly type, big-breasted, big hipped, and warm. She was a bosom to cry on, a soother and a stroker. Faye was a nice woman, no very bright, highly moral, and easily shocked. People trusted her and she trusted everyone" (Ch. 19, p. 220). Steinbeck just directly told the readers that Faye was a nice person, not very smart, and held high morals. He didn't let us figure out she was all those things through her actions. Another example was when Olive Hamilton was introduced. Her traits and ambitions were told right out. "Olive did not share the intellectual enthusiasms of her father, but the time she had spent in Salinas determined her not to be a ranch wife... Olive had not her father's brilliance, but she did have a sense of fun, together with her mother's strong a undeviating will...Olive had great courage"(Ch. 14, pgs.148-151). Steinbeck did not build up to show Olive's sense of fun or courage by what she did. He may have said it after, but he opens up by telling some of their traits. Steinbeck, and other authors may choose to describe their characters this way because once readers know some of the traits, they can focus on the events that back up those traits. They can make the connection of the actions to the personalities.
Setting:
Steinbeck's vivid and rich, detailed setting descriptions truly paints the images into the minds of readers, and make them feel as if they are really there. The beginning of chapter fifteen opens up with Adam in his new land. "From the entrance to the little draw under a giant oak, which dipped its roots into underground water...it was a fair place even in the summer when the sun laced into it. A line of river willows and sycamores banded it in the middle, and the western hills were yellow-brown with feed" (Ch. 15, p. 156). Steinbeck paints the scene delicately. He adds small details that make the visualization clearer. It's easy to imagine that Adam's land rich green, shaded by many trees, and expanded out in vast directions. Similarly, chapter sixteen opens up with the night scene surrounding Samuel Hamilton. "Samuel Hamilton rode back home in a night so flooded with moonlight that the hills took on the quality of the white and dusty moon. the trees and earth were moon-dry, silent and airless and dead. The shadows were black without shading and the open places white without color" (Ch.6, p.176). This time Steinbeck paints the scene not in vivid colors, but in black and white. Nonetheless, the scene is still captured in the minds of readers. The darkness of the night, contrasted by the brightness of the moon paints a delicate image. Detailed setting descriptions play an important role in a story, because drawing the readers into the scene helps them feel as if they are there with the characters. Getting lost in the story makes it much more absorbing and enjoyable.
Character:
Olive Hamilton is a very stubborn, yet headstrong woman. When Olive needed something to be done, it was done. And it was done the way she wanted it. When her only son John, was caught with pneumonia , Olive did everything in her will to save him. She called ministers, mothers, and nuns to pray. She used every magic and herbal medicine she could get her hands on. She even brought the town's best nurses and doctors to treat her son. In the end, John survived the killer disease. After nine weeks in bed, John strained to get up, but the pain was too great. "I can't do it! I can't get up!" (Ch.14, p.150). But Olive wouldn't have any of that. "Get up! Your father has worked all day and sat up all night. He has gone into debt for you. Now get up!" (Ch. 14, p. 150). And her son got up. Her sense of determination and non-tolerance for weakness showed how stubborn of a person Olive was. However, her strength to fight on while her only son could've died showed a great sense of how headstrong she was. Another example that demonstrates these qualities occurred during World War I. Olive began to receive recognition after her sales went up. Eventually, she was invited for a very honorable ride in an army airplane. However, Olive believed that going on the plane would be like a death sentence. Even so, Olive knew she could not back down and made preparations for what she believed would be her death. Once on the plane, Olive had a misunderstanding and thought that the pilot was having great difficulties. She decided to encourage him to give him hope. But instead, she gave him the impression that she wanted more stunts. The pilot later commented, "She's the goddamest woman I ever saw. I tore up the rule book and she wanted more. Good Christ, what a pilot she would have made!" (Ch. 14, p.155). Going into a situation in which she thought she would die shows that Olive Hamilton was extremely brave and headstrong. Not everyone meets death so graciously. Stubbornness and headstrong can be very useful qualities to possess. While too much stubbornness can be a little difficult to get along with, the perfect dose shows that you are confident with what you believe in.
Conflict:
It has been one entire year, yet Adam Trask still suffers with an internal conflict: he is still not over Cathy Ames. When Samuel visits Adam Trask, he is offered no friendly welcome nor hospitality. Samuel confronts Adam about his feelings for Cathy, and whether he has any hatred towards her or not. To this Adam replied: "No. No-only a kind of sinking in the heart. Maybe later I'll sort it out to hatred. There was no interval from loveliness to horror, you see. I'm confused, confused" (Ch.22, p.260) It has been an entire year, and Adam still seems very frustrated and does not have a clear mind. It's clear that he has given Cathy much thought, but he is still unsure of how he feels. This shows that an internal struggle is battling with Adam's mind. It is also evident that Cathy has been way too much on Adam's mind because Adam had been rejecting his sons. In fact, Samuel said: "I can't think in my mind of a dull man picking up a rock, who before evening would not put a name to it-like Peter. And you-for a year you've lived with your heart's draining and you've not even laid a number to one of the boys" (Ch. 22, p.259). To this, Adam replies, "Their mother left them motherless." This tells us that Adam did not even bother with his sons over the past year, because he didn't even give them names-their very identification. It's understandable that Adam was heartbroken and devastated, but it's unreasonable for him to give up on life like that. If he wanted to settle it, he could've went out to search for her. There will be times in life when we are deeply troubles with our conflicts. But you cannot just give up and ignore everything around you. You must confront your troubles or simply move on.
Theme:
As time passes, some things will change while others remain the same. Since the time period in which East of Eden took place, many things have changed. For instance, our school systems have changed significantly since Olive Hamilton's teaching period. "Olive Hamilton had not only to teach everything, but to all ages. Olive also had to practice a rudimentary medicine, for there were constant accidents...In addition, the whole social life of the area was in her hands, not only graduation exercises, but dances, meetings, debates, chorals, Christmas and May Day festivals, patriotic exudations on Decoration Day and the Fourth of July" (Ch. 14, p. 148). Evidently, Olive had a lot on her plate other than just teaching. Many teachers today do not have as much of a required load as Olive did, unless they choose to do so. The transition of a teacher's duties show that as the era moves from temporary to contemporary, there will be changes. However, time does not mean that everything is different. Many lifestyles or views may still remain the same. For instance, racism existed back then, and racism still exists today. In East of Eden, an example of racism was when Horace addressed Lee about Adam. 'Hello, Ching Chong. Bossy man here?" (Ch.18, p.205). Horace's reference to Lee as "Ching Chong" simply because he looked Chinese depicted a sense of racism. Over the years, there has been more awareness of racism, thus decreasing it by some. Nevertheless, racism still exists today. It may occur at school, or it may occur out in the streets. Racism is any example of something of the old times that still continues to exist today. The idea that some things change with time will others do not, tell us that many people are open to new ideas. This means that we can always make a positive change. Many bad practices have gone away as morals have changed over time, so this means that there are always open doors for change.
Style:
In East of Eden, John Steinbeck carries a style of directly introducing the characteristics and personality traits of his characters, rather than giving them indirectly. Faye was first introduced in chapter 19. Rather than letting readers figure out the traits of her, Faye's personality was given right out. "Faye was the motherly type, big-breasted, big hipped, and warm. She was a bosom to cry on, a soother and a stroker. Faye was a nice woman, no very bright, highly moral, and easily shocked. People trusted her and she trusted everyone" (Ch. 19, p. 220). Steinbeck just directly told the readers that Faye was a nice person, not very smart, and held high morals. He didn't let us figure out she was all those things through her actions. Another example was when Olive Hamilton was introduced. Her traits and ambitions were told right out. "Olive did not share the intellectual enthusiasms of her father, but the time she had spent in Salinas determined her not to be a ranch wife... Olive had not her father's brilliance, but she did have a sense of fun, together with her mother's strong a undeviating will...Olive had great courage"(Ch. 14, pgs.148-151). Steinbeck did not build up to show Olive's sense of fun or courage by what she did. He may have said it after, but he opens up by telling some of their traits. Steinbeck, and other authors may choose to describe their characters this way because once readers know some of the traits, they can focus on the events that back up those traits. They can make the connection of the actions to the personalities.
Setting:
Steinbeck's vivid and rich, detailed setting descriptions truly paints the images into the minds of readers, and make them feel as if they are really there. The beginning of chapter fifteen opens up with Adam in his new land. "From the entrance to the little draw under a giant oak, which dipped its roots into underground water...it was a fair place even in the summer when the sun laced into it. A line of river willows and sycamores banded it in the middle, and the western hills were yellow-brown with feed" (Ch. 15, p. 156). Steinbeck paints the scene delicately. He adds small details that make the visualization clearer. It's easy to imagine that Adam's land rich green, shaded by many trees, and expanded out in vast directions. Similarly, chapter sixteen opens up with the night scene surrounding Samuel Hamilton. "Samuel Hamilton rode back home in a night so flooded with moonlight that the hills took on the quality of the white and dusty moon. the trees and earth were moon-dry, silent and airless and dead. The shadows were black without shading and the open places white without color" (Ch.6, p.176). This time Steinbeck paints the scene not in vivid colors, but in black and white. Nonetheless, the scene is still captured in the minds of readers. The darkness of the night, contrasted by the brightness of the moon paints a delicate image. Detailed setting descriptions play an important role in a story, because drawing the readers into the scene helps them feel as if they are there with the characters. Getting lost in the story makes it much more absorbing and enjoyable.
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