And so it begins...

I think one of the most entertaining parts of this book so far are the relationships, especially Cyrus and his wife. Not only does he giver her syphilis but she later commits suicide because of it, leaving him to take care of the land and the children.

I guess Cyrus is completely challenged and can't care for himself and his offspring so the only thing he can think of doing is to marry someone so she can do all the work!

You can already feel the tension beginning to brew, Cyrus tells Adam that he loves Adam more that his brother Charles, and we all know how well that worked out before.

I'm not sure how I feel about the secret gifts that Adam has been leaving his stepmother, Alice. While on the one hand they aren't related by blood, I find it to be a tad creepy. I'm sure that it is plutonic, but you never know.

I find it interesting that the Trask family has settled on barren land that is hard to cultivate, and they find themselves fraught with strife and hostility. On the other hand the Hamilton family settles on the fertile land and remain close and loving with one another. Its almost a statement that the your surroundings can determine your life and relationships.

I enjoy the obvious elusions to the biblical story of Cain and Abel, the feuding brothers. And the Trask brothers are mirroring them quite well, with the exception that Charles does not kill Adam, instead he gives a brutal beating. I think Steinbeck chose not to end the story here because, one we are only 5 chapters in, and two he knew that there was more here to be told.

I look forward to seeing what we have in store.

Would Meshing 2 Brothers make a "Normal" Man?

I enjoyed the first 5 chapters of East of Eden. Samuel makes me want to go visit him to hear his stories. The fact that he and Liza raised so many children, and all of them with varying attitudes towards life, is remarkable, yet completely understandable for the time. I really enjoyed the fact that Liza got into port wine as a medicinal purpose and became a much happier and relaxed woman. I'm definitely curious to see how things turn out for that family. I can't help but wonder what will happen to Lazy Joe. I kinda want to smack him upside the head, but I find it hard to do because I'm also a dreamer...I just can't get others to do things for me, nor should I.

The Trask family has me really curious. It surprises me that Adam and Charles have such a unique relationship. The way that Charles wants to protect him, like someone would a baby, and then suddenly turn on him for beating him at a game makes me think he's bipolar. I definitely saw the comparison to Caine and Abel with Adam and Charles right before Cyrus sent Adam to the Army. But I can sort of understand Charles's need to know why he's not good enough. Usually it's the youngest child that is more spoiled because there aren't going to be anymore after that, but in this case it's the exact opposite. I was surprised when Cyrus said that Adam is his favorite, even though he knows he shouldn't be. I honestly thought that Charles would be his favorite.

But then I thought about what Cyrus was talking about later, that Charles can't be contained because he doesn't have any fear. So it makes me wonder if Adam is Cyrus's favorite because Adam has a large amount of humanity inside him? Is it possible that if you melded the two brothers together you would get a whole person? With Charles being as fearless as he is and Adam being as passive as he is it makes me wonder.

Now onto the next 7 chapters!

From Steinbeck To Amanda

"It is argued that because they believed thoroughly in a just, moral God they could put their faith there and let the smaller securities take care of themselves. But I think that because they trusted themselves and respected themselves as individuals, because they knew beyond doubt that they were valuable and potentially moral units-because of this they could give God their own courage and dignity and then receive it back. Such things have disappeared perhaps because men do not trust themselves anymore, and when that happens there is nothing left except perhaps to find some strong sure man, even though he may be wrong, and to dangle from his coattails."

Dear Steinbeck,
In this day and age I was so sure that I wouldn't find anyone that understood what I was feeling or have been thinking about lately. Granted, I am not currently in the process of struggling to maintain a homestead and family in the Salinas Valley, but I am a young single girl trying to find all the money needed to pay my bills and struggling to deal with myself and those around me on a daily basis. And I truly believe that no one trust or believes in anything anymore.

Instead of finding value in ourselves, we are a world that finds value in things. None of which we can take to our grave. We hand power to few, follow where they lead and get angry when we hit a brick wall or fall of a cliff. Always forgetting that WE were the ones that gave that idiot the control in the first place.

Maybe it's time "we" stop the group think and try being individuals again. Because "I" am more powerful then I give myself credit for. I am valuable and I need to give up worrying about the tedious details of my day and focus on what really matters-being the best person I can be.

Steinbeck, thanks for the reminder.

The Cain and Abel Effect

I was trying to not be the first to post on East of Eden since I've taken a class on it but I guess I need to kick off some discussion!  I also updated the chapter deadline.

Throughout East of Eden Steinbeck uses themes from biblical stories.  He uses the story of Cain and Abel with the Trask brothers.  Charles portrays Cain by being angry and aggressive.  He is jealous of his brother Adam (Abel) because their father loves Adam more.  This jealousy causes Charles to nearly kill Adam but Steinbeck has Adam escapes before Charles comes back. 

I think Steinbeck makes an interesting twist on the story because once Adam goes into the army, Charles and Adam become really close through letter writing.  The brother's relationship seems solid when there is distance between them.  It will be interesting to see what happens when Adam is out of the army and sees Charles again.