Literary Techniques In John Steinbeck's East Of Eden

Throughout the novel, East of Eden, John Steinbeck puts forth many literary techniques in the book to make it utterly vivid. His defined techniques of writing allow the reader to unveil the author’s intentions. Steinbeck’s usage of allegories and alliteration through metaphoric language effectively creates a style that is certain to captivate an audience.

John Steinbeck frequently expresses his idea of a reoccurring cycle between the struggles of good and evil. It seems fairly apparent that Steinbeck had passed the persistent loop of Cain and Abel’s story from Charles and Adam onto the next generation of brothers, Caleb and Aron Trask. In order to sustain his continuous biblical allusions, Steinbeck uses the metaphor of the man who was “smart as Satan.” This allows for a reestablished pattern of the biblical story, Cain and Abel. By doing so, Steinbeck effectively adds a new element towards his predetermined design of the novel.

Additionally, such a technique allows for the book to become more engaging and fascinating for the reader.
Steinbeck proceeds to demonstrate the aspect of the inevitable evil in humans through his use of alliteration.

The author’s incorporation of “weakness” and “wickedness” conveys the unavoidable flaws of humans. In the process, he adequately establishes a pessimistic tone. This becomes truly evident as he quickly follows it with describing man as using “his special knowledge to warp men.” John Steinbeck is able to show the endless struggle of evil that bears a burden to mankind. Steinbeck’s creation of Cathy Ames demonstrate this stereotype as she used her sexuality to manipulate and seduce others into consistently trick and trap others into her corrupt path. Similarly, Cyrus Trask also displays the characteristic when he deceives many about his false “heroic” tales that gave him powerful position in the Army administration. His usage of alliteration enables the reader to recognize the author’s view of the troubled clash between good and evil. The reader is able to comprehend Steinbeck’s feelings from far beyond a fundamental

level.
John Steinbeck’s style of writing not only allows the audience to understand the universal truths of the author, but essentially permits the reader to explore the author’s own voice. Steinbeck had clearly left a piece of himself though East of Eden. The author’s tone is depicted through vivid descriptions that provide the reader with multiple interpretations. He facilitates the flow of the novel by mesmerizing the reader through his use of literary language, such as allegory and alliteration.