East of Eden
Summary
Set in California’s Salinas Valley, East of Eden follows the intertwined lives of the Trask and Hamilton families across several generations. At its heart is a conflict between two brothers, Cal and Aron Trask, whose relationship echoes the biblical story of Cain and Abel. Their struggles with jealousy, parental expectations, love, and belonging raise questions about whether people are destined to repeat the mistakes of their ancestors. Exploring the tension between good and evil, Steinbeck’s epic suggests that individuals are not entirely defined by their past or their nature. They retain the power to make choices that shape their own lives and the lives of those around them.
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- Published
- 1952
- Author
- John Steinbeck