My Thoughts

EAST OF EDEN was definitely not my typical kind of read. I probably wouldn’t have read it if it hadn’t been assigned reading for my English class. I’m glad my teacher assigned it to us because I ended up really enjoying it.

The entire story was an allegory of the Garden of Eden. Each character and event mirrored or represented a character in Genesis 4–the chapter when Cain slayed Abel. In fact, each pairing of characters either had names starting with a “C” or an “A.” Even though most of the “C” characters were meant to represent Cain or evil, I felt like they were more human. The “A” characters seemed more close-minded, self-righteous, and judgmental. They also seemed less willing to change or become a better person because they already thought they were better. There were two exceptions–Cathy and Adam. Cathy represented the serpent more than Cain and Adam, although very close-minded, did try and want to change.

It took me a while to get into the story. It wasn’t until around chapter 24 that I actually started to understand why Steinbeck wrote this novel. I honestly wish I could just share the entire second section of that chapter because it was so significant and was a little bit of an aha moment for me. In this chapter, Lee tells the story of how the King James Bible and the American Standard Bible use a different translation of the Hebrew word timshel in one of the verses in Genesis 4. Lee says:

The more I thought about the story [of Cain and Abel], the more profound it became to me. Then I compared the translations we have–and they were fairly close. There was only one place that bothered me. The King James version says this–it is when Jehovah has asked Cain why he is angry. Jehovah says, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” It was the “thou shalt” that struck me, because it was a promise that Cain would conquer sin.

… Then I got a copy of the American Standard Bible. It was very new then. And it was different in this passage. It says, “Do thou rule over him.” Now this is very different. This is not a promise, it is an order. And I began to stew about it. I wondered what the original word of the original writer had been that these very different translations could be made.

… After two years [of studying Hebrew] we [Lee and some scholarly friends] felt that we could approach … the fourth chapter of Genesis. My old gentlemen felt that these words were very important too–“Thou shalt” and “Do thou.” And this was the gold from our mining: “Thou mayest.” “Thou mayest rule over sin.”

… Any writing which has influenced the thinking and the lives of innumerable people is important. Now, there are many millions in their sects and churches who feel the order, “Do thou,” and throw their weight into obedience. And there are millions more who feel the predestination in “Thou shalt.” Nothing they may do can interfere with what will be. But “Thou mayest”! Why, that makes a man great, that gives him stature with the gods, for in his weakness and his filth and his murder of his brother he has still the great choice. He can choose his course and fight it through and win.”

… It is out of laziness, out of weakness, to throw oneself into the lap of deity, saying, “I couldn’t help it; the way was set.” But think of the glory of the choice! That makes a man a man. A cat has no choice, a bee must make honey. There’s no godliness there. … But this–this is a ladder to climb to the stars.

Isn’t that fantastic? How profound! When I read that, I was blown away by Steinbeck’s insight and how he was able to incite such emotion while I read his book. After that, the story opened up and I was able to see the significance of his characters and their story.

I thought the story was quite long. I felt like it could’ve been pared down and still hold its significance. I’m glad I read this book and I thought it was well-written. I didn’t love it by any means, but I enjoyed it for its richly symbolic, controversial story. It definitely made me think.