Good And Evil Essay: Good Vs. Evil

The debate between good versus evil as innate traits in humans are disputed about whether one trait dominates over another, whether homeostasis is the case at birth, or whether neither exists at the time of a baby’s first breath. It is a common situation to disagree on the origins of these arguments based upon one’s beliefs whether they are of religious, moral, or economical value. However, despite these contradicting views, one theme remains consistent and true, and agreed upon, throughout all human history: everyone has his or her own convictions. Steinbeck uses this generalization as a platform for his belief that virtue and vice are both innate characteristics, and this conflict between good versus evil is the one and only battle humans fight throughout life and throughout the continuum of time in which humans have existed. Steinbeck illustrates that evil without exception is an omnipresent and unavoidable trait for all humans. Every creature is born evil, but Steinbeck demonstrates in East of Eden that every human possesses the innate ability to overcome it through personal choice by differing perceptions of reality based upon disillusioned fragments, imaginary realism, and personal choices. This ability to overcome is the good in all humans.

Throughout the novel, Steinbeck explores perception, from nature, nurture, or unique circumstance, as a median to disillusionment. Perception is the primary factor in effectively determining the differences between right and wrong, as dictated by societal norms and the relentless convictions of “good” humans think of as “right” throughout history. He highlights this belief through irrational views conveyed by Adam, the protagonist, and, paradoxically, these views that Adam himself view...

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...al ailments or obvious historical parallelisms subtly occurring deliberately in reality. Evil cannot be escaped. All humans possess it. All humans can overcome it. This ability to overcome is the good in all humans: “We only have one story… Vice has always a new fresh young face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is” (Steinbeck 443). Good is immortal, and it survives by our choices, whilst evil dies off when overused, like Cathy does, and only comes back when deliberate ignorance and naiveté are introduced, as well as self-induced, into perspective. Adam and Abel represent the essence of the human – good and evil. Evil is the Cathy that humans must overcome with righteous choices. Charles and Cal are the examples that prove overcoming innate evil with moral choices on a day-to-day basis is a certain possibility, a tough road, and a worthy path.