East of Eden Part Two

GOOD & EVIL

Good and evil is the main debate of part two in East of Eden characters debate each other between good and bad. At the beginning of the story Cathy is depicted as a monster who was born "evil". (pg.72) Following the abortion she attempted against the unborn babies which she didn't show sympathy to when she  left them to their luck. A mom is a figured who is in a way condemned to love her children just like Olive Hamilton who pleased her kids by taking the trip in the airplane, this shows her unconditional love to her children because she puts her fears aside to make them happy. (ch.14) Also the "good" is found in Samuel Hamilton who's character bleeds purity because he was a noble man who even helped Adam out of his depression do to Cathy's abandonment. (ch.22)

2. Adam's forgetfulness of his past is not convincing at all, by moving to the Salinas Valley he tries to hide his re-mournful memories stating that he had forgotten and forgiven but he really hasn't. One doesn't forget easily the rejection of a loved one and therefore has a wreck havoc towards the "aggressor". Later while discussing the story of Cain and Abel with Samuel and Lee he confesses the anger he felt when he knew of gods unfairness to Cain but he failed to realize that he lives that citation with his father and brother during his childhood. (pg.269) Do to this he does not notice how he is inclining his favoritism to one of his sons too following Cyrus path, his father.

3. In chapter 14 when Olive Hamilton is introduced she is described a pure heart woman who has four children who she teaches principles but mostly unconditional love. Olive's appearance strikes to the point because she is an example of the good in the evil. This shows the derivative in the novel because since Steinbeck's ambition is to write a honest novel for his sons this would be the best motherly symbol contrary to Cathy Ames.