Coping with Rejection Humans are constantly searching for love and acceptance, however often find themselves buried in rejection and longing. John Steinbeck's classic novel East of Eden demonstrates nuisance characters evoking rejection-driven jealousy in their victims. Steinbeck utilizes these events to characterize through how each of them cope with rejection. Cathy’s many victims, including Adam Trask, are pawns in her larger game to ruin lives of those around her. She sees her opportunity to take advantage of Adam when she “needed protection and money. Adam could give her both” (121). By manipulating Adam with their marriage, Cathy exploits his love and trust until she is powerful enough to leave him behind. Once Adam realizes she …show more content…
is not coming back, his blind love for her is reflected through his irresponsiveness and neglect towards his own children as he denies everyone and everything around him. His response and coping with this event expresses how poorly he handled rejection momentarily. However, Adam proves his strength when he visits Cathy; enlightening himself by making closure of his situation. Although Adam was deeply wounded, both emotionally and physically, by the monstrous Cathy he is able to conquer and release himself from her evil. Adam himself was a witness and casualty of rejection of his brother Charles from his father.
Charles’ constant yearning of Cyrus’ love dispels when he finally understands that Adam will always be favored. A simple “‘Thanks’” is all Charles received after spending so much wasted effort trying to please his father (30). Charles’ response was beating up Adam, modeling his childness and destructiveness. Rejection of his father’s love drives his emotions mad, forcing him to take it out Adam for effortlessly stealing what he wanted so badly. His coping method was sickly unnecessary, confirming his neediness of love as well as violence from rejection. By choosing this path, the boy fails to realize how this will affect him and his brother in the future. From then on, there is always a sort of distinct tension between the two brothers created by a childhood event that could have been handled more properly. Although Charles may be physically strong, he is emotionally fragile as illustrated in the violence with Adam proving he cannot handle …show more content…
rejection. Disapproval is also present in the life of Cal Trask when he rejects himself. Cal does so by never accepting himself to be him; he is always trying to prove himself to others until he finally realizes he has the choice to “‘be what you are and do just what you do’” (539). In having this epiphany, Cal releases himself from his own strict bindings of behavior and has insight about how he can live. Cal’s change mirrors the same change in his father because they are both able to overcome something ultimately strengthening their lives and morals. As a result of Cal’s change, he renounces his past of “whipping himself” allowing him to exist in peace (539). Even the most insightful character in the story Lee goes through rejection from Americans as well as his own Chinese friends.
Although he is born and raised locally, he is still treated as an outsider by Americans who don't trust him; and an honorable man gone astray from customs to the Chinese. He believes that he has “no chance of mixing” fully with one culture or the other, therefore he is stuck in the middle and is misunderstood by both (164). Lee handles this extraordinarily well by keeping to himself and doing what is honorable even when no one is around. The way he copes with his situation on a daily basis portrays what a strong person he has made out of himself. Furthermore, he spreads his wisdom onto Cal and Aron as if they were his own children, exemplifying his goodness. Lee was one of the few characters able to overcome his rejection before letting it destroy him. His overall goodness distinguishes him from all the evil and problems encircling the other
characters. Ultimately, when a character has to deal with the rejection he finds his own way of coping, whether it be beneficial or life shattering. Steinbeck uses the characters to teach readers the importance of dealing with rejection properly so he or she doesn’t end up destroying himself or herself. People are always looking for acceptance, but when they receive rejection instead, they must learn to deal with it properly.
Through certain scenes from the novel, we can relate the brothers Charles and Adam to the exact legend. There's such a strong comparison that we can understand through the actions and way of life that the two brothers follow the same idea. In regarding to the scene when Cyrus the father of the boys, was favoring Adam’s present over Charles's. He deeply appreciated the puppy, over the expensive German knife that was gifted to him. “What did you do on his birthday?’ You think I didn’t see? Did you even spend six or four bits? You brought him a mongrel pup you picked up in the woodlot. You laughed like a foul and said it would make a good bird dog. That dog sleeps in his room” (Steinbeck 268 ). Soon Charles becomes
East of Eden by John Steinbeck is an optimistic film about a boy becoming a man and trying desperately to earn the love of his father and mother in the troubled times of the Great Depression. Cal, the main character is a troubled teen who lives with his entrepreneur father, and a brother who is following closely in his fathers steps. Cal’s mother left him and his brother to become a madam of a whorehouse. The struggle takes place between Cal and his father due to his fathers lack of compassion for his son. The conflict rises further when Cal tries to help his father repay a debt, his father further isolates his son and this turns to violent outbursts. Steinbeck focuses on Cal in order to suggest the theme that without love people become violent and mean.
Lee grew up in China, a country that had been ravaged by Japan, because of this this has resulted in a deep hatred for Japan that followed Henrys father all the way to his death. When reading in the paper that Japanese school teachers were being put in jail for reasons that weren’t clear, Henry's father felt relief and victory (67). Unfortunately Henry’s father wasn’t the only one with a negative impression of japan; many Americans regarded all Japanese Americans as enemies and possible spy’s, this created a torrent of hate and discrimination towards the Japanese. In reality, most, if not all, of these Japanese Americans were not spies and many didn’t care to be associated with
Cathy Ames makes choices based on how much it benefits her, and if it ensures that she will prosper from the choice, even if that means destroying everyone else in the process. It appears “that Cathy… was born with tendencies, or lack of them, which drove her and forced her all of her life” (Steinbeck 72). Most humans have natural instincts that allow them to function in a civil society together. Cathy is different, however, and distinct since birth. She plans and decides things unlike how the rest of society does. A chance encounter between the gray James Grew and Cathy leads to one of Cathy’s first evil actions. Nothing happens until Cathy meets him and “[f]or a time it was noticed that a flame leaped in James Grew… and then the flame went out” (Steinbeck 79).
Imagine feeling and looking different from all those around you. Imagine if you weren’t understood the same way as the majority. In the book “American Born Chinese”, two characters, Jin and Monkey King who went through the same situations, but in different societies. The Monkey King insight into the impact of society on Jin as they both face social exclusion through experiencing internalized racism. Further as Monkey King transforms into another character, Chin-Kee, which Jin sees as an embarrassing Chinese culture.
Edward Bloor takes on a challenge when he attempts to make the reader empathize with people that he had intentionally tried to make the reader dislike earlier in the story. This is a challenge because i...
Adam grew up in a broken household. His birthmother drowned herself in a fit of spiritual masochism, and his cold stepmother gave his father a stronger son when Adam was a toddler. Growing up as an unwelcome reminder of his father’s past, Adam was conditioned to hold his tongue. He developed a strong personality and interests, but forced his character behind layers of silence and obedience. As described by the author, “He [Adam] covered his life with a veil of vagueness, while behind his quiet eyes a rich, full life went on” (Steinbeck 20). Adam grew as a bright, inquisitive child, but did so behind walls he erected out of fear and understanding that he was unwanted. He restricted the expression of his developing soul to shield himself from hurt, hiding behind what Steinbeck described as “tunneled eyes” (20). Once Adam escaped from the influence of his father, he was given more freedom to develop. His shielded eyes became warmer and more open as he grew into adulthood. When he finally found a partner in Cathy Ames, his eyes shined with nothing but happiness, reflecting openly the pure joy present in his long-concealed soul (169). This bliss turned out to be
Steinbeck, John. Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters. 1969. New York: Penguin,
Although his parents had no previous knowledge of America’s society, they were able to learn from watching films and reading books. When Liu was born, they decided it was a good idea for him to adapt to this new environment that may benefit his life with better opportunities that the culture provides. Some of these opportunities involved independence and a luxurious lifestyle that they thought was different than the Chinese culture. Liu took pride in believing that he was considered an Asian American when he perceives himself as a unique individual coming from two different cultures. He learns about the daily lives of white people and eventually made friends who were able to support and teach him to fit in with the society. During his life in America, Liu faced struggles and tries to overcome them by learning how to get along with white people, using the social-class to help him make connections with other white people, and getting involved with his internship which provided a good career opportunity while becoming an upper class person. Overall, Liu’s success in achieving his goals of individuality, career opportunities, and lifestyle as well as understanding himself about his Asian American
The struggle of sibling rivalry over ability and temperament has taken East of Eden in a whole new perspective. Steinbeck’s portrait on sibling rivalry shows the good vs. evil of each character in the story. The nature of good vs. evil as natural selection is also seen in siblings, as a compete for something physical, mental, or something emotional. The sibling rivalry from the biblical characters embraced Steinbeck’s characters throughout every concept in the novel, the good vs. evil confines the characters personality in every idea of Steinbeck’s novel. From the biblical story of Cain and Abel to Adam and Charles to Cal and Aaron the story continues through out every generation.
Even today Lee still produces films that directly address modern society's most significant historical movements and episodes. His productions analyze themes of race and discrimination. His work can be analyzed in academic
Jin Wang, the main character in American Born Chinese transforms in order to deal with stereotypes and prejudice. After moving from Chinatown San Francisco to a new school, Jin realizes he is the only Asian other than Suzy Nakamura (31). Jin immediately faces racial stereotypes and slurs, such as “Chinese people eat dogs”, and arranged marriages (31). Even the teachers have preconceived ideas about Jin’s heritage. His third grade teacher Mrs. Greeder has little understanding of the pronunciation of Jin’s name and from where he moved, thinking he came “all the way from China” (30). In order to integrate in his new environment, he assimilates himself into American culture, transformed into a “regular” American. After stereotyped for eating dog, Jin is seen eating without chopsticks, part of his Asian tradition, and begins to eat “normal” American cuisine, such as sandwiches (37). When Wei Chen arrives, Jin tells him “(he’s) in America” and to “speak English” (37). Even though Jin is fully capable of communicating with Wei-Chen, he decides to abandon his previous culture. Jin chooses to fully transform into an American. He tries to completely dispose of his Asian identity and develop a new one. In order to do this he develops the n...
Some of the most aspiring and influential authors show to be American novelists. American novelists brought about a new style of writing, which became very popular. John Steinbeck shows this style of writing in his novel, East of Eden. This makes Steinbeck one of the most significant American novelists in the twentieth century. East of Eden contains many parts, which add detail and interest to the novel. Many of Steinbeck’s novels and other works remain and continue to be nationally acclaimed. Many elements exist in East of Eden that bring about the meaning and concept of the novel. The study of John Steinbeck and his book, East of Eden, will help the reader better understand the element of fiction and interpret the meaning of the work.
From her early childhood, Cathy commits crimes unimaginable to any stable individual. She cannot distinguish right from wrong and finds pleasure in cruelty. Steinbeck uses Cathy to display what an innately evil woman truly looks like. He introduces her by explaining how one may be “born without kindness” or “the potential of conscious,” just as one might be born without an arm (95). Cathy Ames happens to be brought into the world with the traits and qualities which drive her to sin all her life. From birth, she differs from others, and uses her differences to shake up the world around her. She comes into the world lacking the capabilities to ever be considered a “normal” woman. Her upbringings did not bring her to this because her parents support her and always want the best for her. Cathy, given everything she wants, possesses no reason to act deceptively; she cannot change. She often resembles an animal, hurting Sam Hamilton the “way a terrier” attacks a sack (253). Cathy even admits she “would rather be a dog” than a human (321). Over time, as her craving for power and domination increases, she becomes more monstrous and almost inhuman.
Lee opend a Martial arts school in America in 1964 and named it the Lee Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute where he taught a modified type of Win Chun. Things changed when he fought Chinese martial arts master Wong Jack Man and defeated him in less than three minutes. Even though he had won, Lee was not satisfied with the way the match had gone because he believed his style limited him from fighting to his full potential. If he had, he believed the match would have not lasted as long as it had. This led to him creating a style that would be driven by the philosophy that martial arts should have no limits. According to Lee there should never be a single way of doing thi...