CYCLES

Cycles

            A cycle is any complete series of occurrences that repeats or is repeated. With that clarified there were multiple cycles in this novel East of Eden. Most of the cycles in this novel are never ending and become passed down through generations. Sometimes these cycles cross one another or become an off spring for other cycles. There’s a difference in these cycles though. The cycles in this novel start new beginnings but end the same.  What I mean is each character can be in a cycle and they will start a new life or a new adventure then by the end of their new ways they wound up in the same place they tried to escape, and it is kind of shocking but I can always see it coming. 

            One main cycle is the cycle of abandonment. The main characters this cycle effects are Charles and Tom. Ever since Charles was born he lived on that farm his mother left him (passed away), father left him (went back to the military), and his brother left him (all over the place). Charles was left alone to his farm where he put in all his hard work and soul into. Even after Charles father died and he and Adam became rich Charles still decided to stay and do nothing but keep working on his farm which he would never leave. Tom was abandoned by all of his siblings. They all grew up with big futures and goals that they had fulfilled, while poor old Tom was left with nothing but false ideas that would be nothing but a waste of time and money. Every time he would start a new beginning or new project somehow it failed and he came back to home. This cycle has a negative effect because it never allowed Charles and Tom to prosper and grow. Never allowed them to get away from home and move on with the rest of their lives like everyone else in their families.

            Abandonment plays a big part into Tom and Charles life because it forced them into another cycle. That would be the cycle of returning. In this cycle of returning the characters are like lost birds that never learned to fly. I say this because they were born into the world like a bird, they were given all the necessary tools like a bird, but, they were never nurtured properly and shown the love and care they needed to learn how to fly and prosper on their own so all of their projects/adventures failed and they returned back to home. They had everything they needed to go out into the world and become great things but they never did. Being abandoned allowed them to never abandon anything because they know how it feels. These two cycles are very important to the novel. They are important because they helped Tom and Charles creates paths for new beginnings but showed how they always came up with the same ending.

Part 3 Questions

2. Samuel, Adam, Cal, Dessie, and Tom all lie to protect the feelings of others in part 3. Is their deception justifiable kindness, or is it ultimately a breach of trust? Compare that to actions of Lee’s father.  Note also Lee gives to Adam to tell the truth to his boys about Cathy.

All of their lies were justifiable kindness. Although it is never good to lie and lying usually creates a big problem with the truth comes out, they all had to do what must have been done at the time. The boys weren’t ready to hear the truth and that was that. Now Lee’s father did the same thing with Lee and his mother see he felt that Lee’s mother was just not fit and he needed to at all cost keep Lee away from her. Now I’m not saying that was neither right nor fair but a parent does what they feel is best for their kid. Now of course later on the truth comes out to Lee about his mother and because of that Lee was able to give the advice to Adam about being honest with his kids, but Adam just couldn’t he had to keep the lie alive he couldn’t tell them the truth about Cathy because he felt it would be too much pain for them to bare not knowing that in the end it’s up to the child to decide who he/she wants in their life, that one parent cannot dictate that and that’s where both Lee’s father and Adam messed up.  “Where do you think our mother is?  She’s dead. No, she isn’t. She is too. She ran away, I heard some men talking. They were liars . . . Cal said quietly pretty soon I’ll run away and find her. I’ll bring her back,” (EOE PG 337-338). This clearly shows that a parent cannot dictate a child’s choice to meet their other parent, because in the end some kids have to see the horror for themselves.

7. What do you suppose Charles motives were in equally dividing his inheritance between Adam and Cathy?

Charles was something else.  He was one of the children in this book who was neglected by the man he loved the most, so a lot of things he has done in this book has been very spiteful and just shocking. It’s kind of been a pattern for Charles to do things that are always just questionable. Like why does Charles not spend a dime of his money? Like why he never gets a wife? Why does Charles always have to do mean things to Adam? Why did Charles have to sleep with Cathy? Why does Charles always takes his anger out on Adam? A lot of these questions still circle around me and the main thing is jealousy or to stir up trouble so he can get some attention and feel noticed. Charles was never really brought up nor important until he did something to deceive Adam.  So I say Charles has the same motive he always does or maybe he has found a new one. Maybe Charles heard about the twins remembered what he had done and felt like they were his kids and that’s why he divided it evenly instead of giving all the money to Adam.  In my eyes Charles had the motive of getting his last two seconds of attention even in the afterlife, because I’m sure he knows Adam found out that he gave the other half to Cathy which raises the question why and keeping him forever relevant because no one knows the true answer.

10. Why does Abra tease the boys? Does she seem admirable?

                Abra is something New to the boys they don’t really play with people let alone a female. Abra kind of got a feel of that when she first met them and she was a bright young girl so I guess she saw it as a why not.  She teased the boys because she knew they weren’t use to having friends let alone conversation with people so she knew she would become the boss. “the boys exchanged uneasy glances. It was their first experience with the inexorable logic of women, which is overwhelming even, or perhaps especially, when it is wrong. This is new to them, exciting and frightening. . . She saw opposition, struggle, and disappear. Abra had taken control. She was the boss.” (EOE pg 345). This clearly shows that she teased the boys because she is simply a girl we know things we do things and we like to be in control. Yes, she seems very admirable. She seems like a smart bright girl who has intrest in the twins. She also seems like a child with a lot of information on a lot of things. So yeeh she’s admirable.

Part Two Questions

1. In Chapter 13, Steinbeck elaborates "the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected." Both Adam and Faye create and harbor a childlike image of Cathy to their peril. they fall prey to their own creations.What trait do these characters share? and what are some of the dangers inherent in "freedom of the mind"?

                    Adam and Faye are both strong characters whom everyone respects. They have the unfortunate pain to meet Cathy/Kate/Catherine. The both ended up hurt due to this woman. two traits shared among the two is the trait to be blind and easily manipulated. What i mean by blind is to not see whats clear in front. Cathy did a numerous of evil acts but of course they could not see everything she did was correct, no one could ever make them believe she did wrong. They were easily manipulated in any ways. Cathy ran them with all control. she made them think that she was all for them then cold heartedly tore herself away or even killed them. Adam first she kept him close and made sure he did everything at her liking. For example during her childbirth, Sam was his friend and knew what was best but or some reason Adam didn't listen all he wanted was to make sure he did exactly ask Cathy asked of him. "It was almost pitch-black inside, for not only were the shades down but blankets were tacked over the windows...She doesn't want the light. it hurts her eyes...there will have to be light...Leave it!the lights hurt her. Adam said fiercely."(page 191Stienbeck) This clearly shows he was willing to get into it with his good friend from the hold she had on him. With Faye she had her so hypnotized within a year she had her sign over the deeds to the house and giving her all her money in a will. "I mean a will is a strange present...we now have cash and securities in excess of sixty thousand dollars..."(page233 Steinbeck) this basically lets you know that they were so blind and she had so much control over them.

              As you can see the became this way because freedom of the mind. Freedom of the mind is whatever your ind allows you to see. You have choices options no limitations on however you feel or what you think. This is very dangers because their freed minds got them under some serious mind control. Within that mind control came dam being sot and abandoned and Fay being killed. Honestly not one tear was shed or any grief. freedom of the mind became dangerous because although you are allowed to see what you want and feel what you want you can easily become tricked and easily fall into the same trap Poor Adam and Faye did.

7.Liza Hamilton is mother to Samuel's nine children, Four boys and five girls. She "had a finely developed sense of sin. she suffered bravely and uncomplainingly through life, convinced that that was the way her God wanted everyone to live. she felt rewards cam after." Talk about her relationship with Samuel. which of her characteristics are most admirable. 

             Liza has a strong personality. She has raised 9 kids and still manage to be well and run a tight shift. As I read more ad more about her I find she has admirable traits. One of her traits is to always play that mother role with any an everybody. People tend to cling to their mothers, so it's like that all the time with Liza. She helps you get some sense like a mother does, boss around like a mother would and begs you to be yourself with the upbringing of the lord like a christian mom would do. "what is there to understand? just read it...if the Lord God wanted you to understand it he'd have given you to understand...But mother- Samuel she said ... yes mother."(page 27Stienbeck). Keeping in mind that Samuel is her husband, as I said she to everyone is like one big mother. Another one of her traits is that she is always honest and expects that from everyone else. Even that of her husband. "you're the most contentious man this world has ever seen.Yes mother. Don't agree with me all the time. It hints insincerity. Speak up for yourself." This shows that she really doesn't want to be smoothed over all the time, that yes she is wife and she loves you, But o you don't have to always agree. I believe those traits are admirable because when I'm looking into my friend i like to keep around friends who will be honest and have the best interest in mind for me.

8. Is Adams despondence after Cathy abandons him and the children authentic grief? or does he derive masochistic pleasure from it, as Samuel Hamilton suggests? what does it say about Adam that he, to, rejects his infant sons for more than a year, ignoring them, not bother even to name them? If Adam is an A character, and thus is "good" is that goodness convincing?appealing?

          Adams Despondence after Cathy abandons him is authentic grief. In Adams condition his twins are lucky that he napped out of it. The kind of hold Cathy had on him was serious. The persuasion he was under was seriously deadly. He Left Home, almost fought Sam, and was building a whole house round her and her needs. That's why I say its a authentic grief. His mind was really trapped and complete gripped wrapped on him. "she needed money and protection. Adam could give er both. And she could control him-she knew that. .... Adam couldn't remember being so happy. it didn't bother him that he did not know her name. She had said to call her Cathy and that was enough for him." (pages 116&121 Steinbeck). This shows that she had a very secure hold on him. When you stat dating the first thing you ask for is name and he wasn't even told that but became head over heels. It Really doesn't say much About Adam except the fact that he must be seriously depressed and in the state of shock. All his neighbors knew he was a great guy and they also knew something terrible had to take place if Adam stopped fixing the house and just stayed in. On page 252 of the novel it says " His neighbors drove up to his little valley, and every one of them would have understood anger or sorrow- and so helped him. but they could do nothing about the cloud that hung over him." this says tome everyone was understanding of the cause but could do nothing about the mind set he was in only could they support him in his time of need. No, That goodness is not appealing. the neglect of anything that needs love or affection is just not convincing, But seeing that this is a Adam people will talk but also be supportive.

9. In discussing the Cain and Abel story with Samuel Hamilton and Adam, Lee says : " the greatest terror a child can have is that he is not loved, and rejection is the hell he fears. I think everyone in the world to a large or small extent has felt rejection. And with rejection comes anger, and with anger some kind of crime in revenge for the rejection, and with crime guilt." To whom does this apply? Cathy, Charles,  Adam?

               
           This totally applies to Charles. Charles was the only one amongst the group who was not loved by his father. Time and time again again was shut out by his father and this caused violent actions. Unfortunately Charles took it out on Adam. Beating on him and hitting on him. Once Charles almost killed him. Charles was shut out by Cyrus not putting Charles in the army, Cyrus not appreciating the knife he had brought for him, and Cyrus not paying Charles way to Washington so he could come and see him. Charles didn't realize at first but he started to add things up and in doing so he realized his father loved Adam way more than he loved him and that sucked because Adam did not love Cyrus. On page 64 Charles says to Adam "Charles looking down at his hands he said i just cant get it through my head. he loved you more than anything in the world...he liked everything you brought him. He didn't like me He didn't like anything i gave him.remember that pocket knife i gave him?... Well he didn't even take it to Washington with him...you gave him a pup...Well ill show you a picture of that pup. He was at the funeral." This is where Adam finds out that Charles knows his father did not love him and that he was neglected.

Good AND Evil

    Good, the thing I will never quite grasp is no one is ever capable of being 100% good. Everyone wants to be but it seems like one of those impossible things.Take Adam he was sweet, loving, and kind. Woman pray for a man like Adam, but Adam still killed, Adam still sinned, Adam became a whore, and Adam neglected his kids for a year. Yes sure Adam went through a serious amount of pain Yes!, but his actions following the pain can never make him 100% good. As much s people love to be called good it will never be true. We are just going to have to face the reality that nobody can be good we can all just be normal. There's always a twist though. Who says what's good and What is evil? We do, we mak certain standards and pass certain judgement based off what we feel is good. So are we all good? We must ask ourselves this question because to a terrorists bombing a place is a wonderful gesture that will get you straight to heaven.To that man it may bne good but to us it is not, but honestly who we may never know who is truly right or wrong.

     Evil, Well evil is just evil :(. Take Cathy her parents loved her she was fortunate she had many things. There was absolutely no reason for her to kill them. Adam loved her with everything he had in him she had no reason to shoot and abandon him. For evil things like that i guess are normal. You do things just because you know you can, like a kid with a new toy play play play until he gets bored and then moves on. Pure evil is just something you are born with. Evil is just  trait you will have forever. To want to cause pain to someone for no apparent reason is just sickening. Very twisted. To be evil takes a lot of patience, thinking, and strategizing. I say this because no ones natural instinct is to purposely harm someone else unless you have been scheming. Evil is a terrible terrible gesture that I just feel you have to be born with. You just have to be....Evil is just when there's no feeling in you at all. youre just so icy and cold, and brings forth nothing but pan to all.  

Love and Hate

LOVE ... Something everybody wants. Wants a feel for but honestly love is extremely deadly. It can blind, betray, and deceive you. In the book the main character Adam Trask was in love with pure evil. She blinded and manipulated that man to the point where she shot him and he didn't care. this woman Cathy had him ignoring his newborn babies for a year, sobbing, stop the development on his new home, and everything. Love is a powerful bond. If  you catch the wrong kind of love you can seriously wind up killed. Love is not always bad trust me it can also make you happy and have you feeling like the luckiest person on the planet. It can also be like Mr&Mrs Hamilton kind of love. they were perfect together they respected and cared for each other, and only brought the best out in each other. Everyone knew of their relationship and wanted a love as strong. As i stated before love in the wrong hands can turn from a 50/50 to a 90/10. You wont be able to tell what happened to yourself, but when love is good its great. You feel secure and at ease like there's no need to worry the other have of you will take care of you.

HATE... I Believe hate is in a weird way type of Love, because in order to hate something you have to know all about it and in a creepy way become obsessed with it. It must be on your mind every second of everyday. You think about it so much there is just no control over it. To Hate something you must really know in full detail of what it is. Requiring full detail of something requires patience and alot of time. So in my eyes hate is a form of love. A deadly form of love because it can cause you to do things that can lead to jail time or an infinite pain. Hate is another form of an abduction to the mind. You can get so involved and so caught up you wont realize your actions and when you d it'll be far too late you'll be far gone. Hate can drive a person to a dark road you might not ever think you wee capable of.

Part One Quesions

6. Regardless of Charles's brutal beating of Adam and his infidelity with Adam's wife, does he love his brother? Why? Are the brothers close? Why might they be closer through letters? Why does Charles handwriting change in the strange letter he writes to Adam at the end of chapter 4? And why might Steinbeck say that this letter is key to the novel?

         Yes, Charles loves his brother despite all the beatings and sleeping around with his wife. he loves his brother because Charles always felt the need to protect Adam and make sure he was always alright. in the text it says "Charles fought anybody who challenged or slurred Adam... he protected Adam from his fathers harshness with lies and even blame taking." this proves he loved and felt responsibility for his brother. Charles just caused him a lot of grief because he made alot of simple minded decisions. In the beginning the brothers weren't really that close but when Adam went to the army and was long away from home they grew closer from the bonds of letters.they are closer through letters because that was the way they truly expressed themselves where as in person not so much.Charles changed at the end of chapter four because he is starting to figure things out and doesn't really know or have straight answers for alot of things he's realizing. This might be key to the novel because this unlocked many important things the boys had yet to find out about their father.

7. Is Cathy Ames doomed by nature to be who she is or does she have a choice? Cathy is introduced as a monster in chapter 8; in chapter 12 she's described slightly differently. Steinbeck sees to be assessing her character as he writes the book. Why might Steinbeck be asking the reader to asses Cathy carefully.

          Cathy Ames has a choice. she did all of these things to herself being the monster that she is. she would've truly did great things with Adam. their love could have help shape something beautiful but instead used her persuasion to turn around and sleep with his brother. On page 121 the text states "she had not only made up her mind to marry Adam but she had decided before he had asked her. She was afraid. She needed protection and money. Adam could give her both. And she could control him -she knew that." this proves that Cathy was nothing but a con artist waiting to strike her next victim. Steinbeck may be asking us to asses her carefully so we don't mistake her like the characters did. We tend to feel bad and show a lot of sympathy to her when instead we should be wanting Adam to listen to Charles and get rid of her. See we are blinded by her as well as the characters.