Relationship Between Good And Evil In East Of Eden

The ideas of good and evil are often reflected as polar opposites yet, their relationship is so closely intertwined that one cannot exist without the other. Good is seen as what is socially and morally acceptable, whereas evil is not. Each individual perceives them differently depending on their own standard of morality. In the novel, East of Eden, John Steinbeck makes an assertion that one can only be deemed good or evil after death. This conviction is misguided as judgment after death shows ignorance to the fact that there is no absolute vice and virtue. People judge by actions or how others portray themselves and base it off of their own moral code, neglecting the reality that everyone has different beliefs and intentions behind their actions.

This is especially made evident in Cal Trask from East of Eden. Although it was believed to be that Cal possesses the same evil as Cathy, he goes against this and struggles to be good like Aron. Growing up, he was “shaken by the veering winds of adolescence. One moment he was dedicated and pure and devoted; the next he walled in filth; and the next he groveled in shame and emerged rededicated” (Steinbeck 450). Cal going back and forth shows his endeavor to be good. Although, he has made poor decisions throughout his life, he has the same morals as a good person and has redeeming actions. This makes it harder to judge him as he shows both aspects of good and

Not every action with good meaning behind will have a positive effect. Often times, actions and intentions make it difficult to judge. In “The Ways We Lie”, Stephanie Ericsson, the author, argues how lying does more harm as it has long, lasting repercussions despite its purpose in not upsetting the other person. For example, in one of the given anecdotes, the sergeant decides to do good and list a dead soldier as missing so that his family would not carry the burden of a dead soldier in the family. This backfires on him as “for twenty years this family kept their hopes alive, unable to move on to a new life” (Ericsson 9). Ultimately, despite the good intentions, the lie hurts them more as the the false illusions impedes their progress in life. Although it was a faulty move on his part, it was neither right or wrong because he only meant well and had no control over the repercussion. The sergeant could not be judged as good or evil as his intentions and actions have no clear cut in