Cain And Abel In East Of Eden

Steinbeck uses the biblical story of Cain and Abel in East of Eden to show us that we do not have set fate. Steinbeck uses the Hebrew word “timshel”, which means “thou mayest”, to suggest that man has the ability to choose good or evil. “Timshel” affects the characters in East of Eden such as Cal and Aron and their choice of overcoming good or evil. Steinbeck sees this novel as his most important work, and he uses it as a way to state his personal ideas concerning mankind:“The free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual.”(Steinbeck,132). Steinbeck shows God has given humans free will and their ability to choose good or evil, if they so decide. He portrays the “C” characters to be connected to Cain, such as Charles and Cal and the “A” characters to be connected to Abel, such as Aron and Adam.

It first appears when Lee discusses “timshel” with Adam and Samuel, “But the Hebrew word, the word timshel – ‘thou mayest’ – that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open. That throws it right back on a man. For if ‘Thou mayest’ – it is also true that ‘Thou mayest not’”(Steinbeck, 303). Lee helps many characters throughout the book to find the meaning of “timshel”. When Lee first introduces “timshel”,Steinbeck introduces Cal and Aron. “Timshel” has allowed characters such as Cal and Adam to find the goodness inside him. The death of Aron lead Adam to his stroke, which allowed Adam to escape his blindness and see Cal, his last words to Cal were “timshel”. Cal uses “timshel” to bring out the goodness inside him. He understands that he does not need to be like his mother Cathy, although he has her