However, John Steinbeck, author of East of Eden, addresses this discourse with a very different perspective. ... Throughout East of Eden, Steinbeck uses a multitude of biblical allusions in order to convey the struggle of choosing between good and evil. ... The story of Cain and Abel is especially prominent in the entirety of East of Eden (Murray n. pag). ... Even though this does not happen in East of Eden, Charles follows closely to the story when he beats Adam after losing a game of peewee. ...

• Word Count: 2130
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

"I believe there is one story in the world, and only one, that has inspired and frightened us. Humans are caught - in their lives, in their thoughts, in their hungers and ambitions, in their greediness and cruelty, and in their kindness and generosity too - in a net of good and evil. ...

• Word Count: 1364
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The central point that I've seen so far in East of Eden is that it dramatizes the continuous conflict between good and evil within individuals and in society as a whole. ... Steinbeck begins the novel with a detailed description of the natural landscape and beauty of the Salinas Valley where he grew up, establishing an important early symbol for the conflict between good and evil: the contrast between the dark, threatening Santa Lucia Mountains to the west and the bright, welcoming Gablian Mountains to the east. The narrator, whose voice is really that of Steinbeck, says that he learned t...

• Word Count: 715
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School