Cal Trask Character Analysis

As humans, we all embody different qualities and characteristics that make us unique. I might find someone with completely opposite traits than me, and the contrasts between us may become apparent. In East of Eden, John Steinbeck introduces many such contrasts, most notably good versus evil and fate versus free will. He creates characters to represent these contrasts, some at the extreme ends of the spectrum, and some in the areas in between. The most significant of these characters are Cal and Aron Trask. Throughout the second part of the novel, the brothers visibly clash. We are not really introduced to them until Chapter 24, but their differences are greatly stressed from that point on. Steinbeck uses these characters to show the contrast

His very first two interactions involve manipulating his brother by using his emotions against him, and mentally attacking Abra when she shows favoritism towards Aron. We learn that his actions stem from jealousy and rejection, since everyone the brothers came in contact with seemed to favor Aron, and dismissed Cal even when he tried to be like Aron. As the novel progresses, however, we are presented with a key difference between Cal and Charles; unlike his uncle, Cal is aware of his inherent evil, and battles against it. He shows qualities of goodness; he supports and encourages Aron’s dream to go to college early, and spends months working with Will Hamilton to make money to restore his father’s lost fortune. He tries to be moral to the best of his ability, but has to constantly struggle against the evil side of himself, which ultimately makes his stronger. Lee is set forth as an extremely important part of Cal’s inner battle. He introduces the idea of timshel, that humans have a choice whether or not to overcome evil. Cal, after discovering that Cathy is his mother, struggles with the idea that she has passed her corruptness to him. Lee reassures him multiple times that that is not true, and reaffirms the idea of timshel to him constantly throughout the second part of the novel. Eventually, Lee’s work pays off, as Cal defeats his inner evil, and realizes that he is not destined to be wicked; he has the free will to decide his own