East of Eden 鈥� Reader Q&A

Questions About East of Eden

by John Steinbeck

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Answered Questions (48)

Does East of Eden want to put evilness/sinfulness in a sympathetic light?

Car6l Snyder I don't believe the story is meant to sympathize with sin at all only to bring a greater understanding to the innocence and good intentions that often鈥辞谤别I don't believe the story is meant to sympathize with sin at all only to bring a greater understanding to the innocence and good intentions that often spawn sin. I also don't believe that the book is making any sort of statement as to who can and cannot judge, only that we have been granted the great and awful task of making all of our own judgement calls. All the mistakes and triumphs we create are our own.(less)

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I loved the movie. Should I try this?

Cobwebsandglitter This is one of my favorite books. The plot is so intricate and the story brilliantly interwoven. Through the very well developed characters different 鈥辞谤别This is one of my favorite books. The plot is so intricate and the story brilliantly interwoven. Through the very well developed characters different emotions (love, depravity, hatred etc) are explored with direct parallels to the Old Testament. Loved this book. Would never ruin it by watching the movie ;) (less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Lise I thought it was appendicitis. I wasn't sure - but I did some research.

John Steinbeck's The Other Side of Eden: Life with John Steinbeck states the f鈥辞谤别I thought it was appendicitis. I wasn't sure - but I did some research.

John Steinbeck's The Other Side of Eden: Life with John Steinbeck states the following:

My father's Aunt Dessie, Olive's sister, appears in some detail with her brother Tom in the Hamilton sections of East of Eden. Tom was Dad's favorite uncle. Since Olive was made of sterner stuff, Dessie was the sweet Hamilton girl. Sadly, she died of appendicitis while staying out in the country alone with Tom, a tragedy for which he blamed himself unto suicide. Apparently, thinking it only a tummy ache, he gave her a bromide and before morning came, both their lives were fatally ruptured.

So it looks like it was appendicitis. (less)

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What is the significance of the names of both pairs of Trask boys? How does this pertain to the theme of the book?

Sara

This answer contains spoilers鈥� (view spoiler)

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Okay, so this is the same guy who wrote Grapes of Wrath, which I've heard was extremely dry and I quote, "1,000 pages of just. . . dust." So is East of Eden also dry and boring? Or. . . does it just depend upon the tastes of the reader? I don't want to start a book and feel like I just wasted several precious moments of my life.

Courtney Short East of Eden is definitely not dry or boring. The characters are complex, the writing is eloquent and flows beautifully. Steinbeck's sense of time and鈥辞谤别East of Eden is definitely not dry or boring. The characters are complex, the writing is eloquent and flows beautifully. Steinbeck's sense of time and place is unmatched. On top of all that, East of Eden is not just a story for the sake of telling a story. East of Eden is making a greater point about mankind and how we choose to live our lives. It's subtle but profound. After you finish the book, you should sit and contemplate it for awhile. It is a powerful story.(less)

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