So this time around in reading East of Eden, I noticed there is no middle ground for female characters in this book. In the beginning we saw Mrs. Trask (she's not even important enough to know her first name) and Alice Trask who are super submissive. They portray the silent and obedient housewife.
Now we have Cathy who is a "mental" monster. On the outside she looks pretty and innocent like a baby doll but inside she is cold and heartless. She uses other people for her own gain and even resorts to killing her parents just to escape her hometown.
I am fascinated by Cathy and how she plays into the Cain and Abel theme with the idea of being born a monster. She and Charles recognized each others as monsters just by looking at each other. They also both have scars on their foreheads marking them as such. I really just love how Steinbeck connects Charles and Cathy into this theme of being born bad. I think Cathy is obviously the extreme monster. While Charles identifies with Cain, he still has emotions like love and hatred towards his father and brother. Cathy seems to lack most emotions and feelings like fear she had to learn from experience.
Question to all: Do you think Cathy will change and maybe learn to love Adam?
So far, I don't have high hopes for Cathy. She seems totally unaffected by what happened to her and is using Adam for protection and security. I find her kinship with Charles both intriging and repulsive all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOne can hope Adam's love can break through you cold, stone like heart, but some people were never meant to be saved, as harsh as that may sound.
No, I don't think she can love. She's incapable. I do hope Adam finds someone to really love him and bring him happiness.
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