Biblical Symbolism in East of Eden

A detailed Summary of Biblical Symbolism in East of Eden

Biblical Symbolism in John Steinbeck's work East of Eden

John Steinbeck is considered to be one of the most talented American writers of all time. Most of his works are regarded highly by critics and celebrated as magnificent forms of twentieth-century literature. Steinbeck's style remains consistent throughout many of his works; he almost always incorporates the Bible. There are few better examples of Steinbeck's style than East of Eden. Throughout Steinbeck's novel East of Eden, he exercises the use of many biblical references to illustrate clearly his views pertaining to the conflict of good and evil.

Much of the plot of East of Eden is centered upon the two sets of brothers representing Cain and Abel. Both pairs are similar to Cain and Abel in the way they go about winning their fathers' favors. All four give gifts to their fathers, and the fathers dismiss the gifts of Charles and Caleb, the Cain representations (Marks, Jay Lester. p.121). Caleb and Charles Trask are obviously the more malignant brothers. They are also the more loving towards their father. Steinbeck's purpose in this is to illustrate the need of the Cain character in the story. Abel, Adam and Aron, is the opposite of his brother and natur

Steinbeck elucidates in East of Eden the belief that man, as a whole is a part of the continuous stream of good and evil. Where one man becomes condemned for his sloth, another might see the mark of Cain as a reason to persevere. Steinbeck states, using the character Lee, "'Cain bore the mark not to destroy him but to save him...It was a preserving mark'." (Marks, Jay Lester. p.123). The major motifs in East of Eden are actually based on two independent thoughts. The first is based on who man is. It is a statement of how he lives his life. The second is the choice that man has between good and evil. These two thoughts are easily related and thus make up the motif (Marks, Jay Lester. p.120). Steinbeck's belief that evil is not passed from parent to child is illustrated by Kate and her sons. Aron and Caleb are obviously nothing like their mother when it comes to the matter of good and evil. Aron, the Abel figure, is not capable of his mother's wickedness and lack of morality. Caleb differs from his mother in that he is heterogeneously good and evil. Caleb is the proof Steinbeck gives that man takes his own path and not necessarily the path of his bloodline (Marks, Jay Lester. p.127). Steinbeck's interpretation of the timshel document suggests that the schism of moral values is illustrated in the story of Cain and Abel. Thus, good and evil are separated each having its own moral standpoint. Because of man's evil heritage, being descendent of Cain, he is naturally forgiven for any breach in purity (Levant, Howard. p. 244).

Steinbeck's references and allusions to the bible are very obvious. Although they are most apparent when taking the story of Genesis: 4 into consideration, the more subtle devices are equally as useful to Steinbeck to prove his point. His beliefs of the relationship between good and evil are easily understood with the allusions that are exercised. It is perhaps because of this fact that John Steinbeck's works are commonly considered genius.

The relationship of good to evil is fo

Some common words found in the essay are:
East Eden, Fonterose Joseph, Cain Abel, Jay Lester, John Steinbeck, Levant Howard, Adam Aron, Aron Abel, Charles Cain, Charles Trask, east eden, fonterose joseph, jay lester, marks jay lester, marks jay, cain abel, genesis 4, levant howard, adam aron, fonterose joseph p3380, biblical references, salinas valley, fonterose joseph p3381, steinbeck's east eden, abel adam aron,

Approximate Word count = 1374
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels