Wan-hua Tung 董挽華 : Returning Back to East of Eden (—by John Ernst Steinbeck)

Wan-hua Tung董挽華 : Returning Back to East of Eden (—by John Ernst Steinbeck)

11/25/2009 NCTU New Renaissance Reading Project

East of Eden

First edition cover

2009/11/25Returning Back to East of Eden (—

by John Ernst Steinbeck)2

‘East of Eden’ － Genesis 4:16

“Then Cain went out from the Presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden”

The True ‘First’ Bloody War of Human: Cain Killed AbelGenesis 4:1~161Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD." 2Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. 4Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."



Genesis 4:1~16 (continued)8Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. 9Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" 10He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. 11"Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12"When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth." 13Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is too great to bear! 14"Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." 15So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. 16Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. ( － NASB)



The Author of East of Eden: John Steinbeck

John Ernst Steinbeck (1902—1968) was one of the best-known authors of the 20th century. John Steinbeck was born on 27 February 1902 of German and Irish ancestry. Salinas, in CA, was John Steinbeck’s hometown. He attended Stanford University intermittently from 1919 to 1925 but he never earned a degree.

His works generally deal with the social and economic issues of rural America. He wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Grapes of Wrath (1939) and a total of twenty-five books, novels, non-fiction and short stories. In 1962 Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize in Literature “for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perception.” Arguably Steinbeck’s best-known works are East of Eden, Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath.

John Steinbeck died of heart failure on 20 December 1968, in New York, N.Y, United States. On 4 March 1969, his ashes were buried in the Garden of Memories cemetery in Salinas in the Hamilton Family plot.

2009/11/25 5Returning Back to East of Eden (—by John Ernst Steinbeck)



John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck: “The free exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world.”

East of Eden

Often described as Steinbeck’s most ambitious novel, East of Eden, published in September 1952, brings to life the intricate details of two families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons, and their interwoven stories. The novel was originally addressed to Steinbeck's young sons, Thom and John (then 6½ and 4½ respectively). Steinbeck wanted to describe the Salinas Valley for them in detail: the sights, sounds, smells, and colors.

The Hamilton family in the novel is said to be based on the real-life family of Samuel Hamilton, Steinbeck's maternal grandfather.

According to his last wife Elaine, he considered this to be a requiem for himself—his greatest novel ever. Steinbeck stated about East of Eden: "It has everything in it I have been able to learn about my craft or profession in all these years." He further claimed: "I think everything else I have written has been, in a sense, practice for this."



Human’s Story—the Imagery of Our Hero, Adam Trask

(Ch. 22)Samuel: “Have you thought of your own name?”Adam: “Mine?”Samuel: “Of course, your first-born—Cain and Abel.”…Samuel: “We are Cain’s children. … three grown men, here in a century so many thousands of years away, discuss this crime as though it happened in King City yesterday and hadn’t come up for trial?” One of the twins awakened and yawned and looked at Lee and went to sleep again. Lee said, “…—a great and lasting story is about everyone or it will not last. The strange and foreign is not interesting—only the deeply personal and familiar.”


The Central Theme of Good VS. Evil: Samuel Hamilton VS. Cathy Ames (1/2)

• Samuel Hamilton,

The positive patriarch, mentors Adam with support and guidance, unlike Adam's own father, Cyrus, who lies about his military record to amass a fortune. Samuel, an Irish immigrant himself, views books as treasures, and fathers nine children. Throughout the novel, he is associated with light, water, and fertility.



The Central Theme of Good VS. Evil: Samuel Hamilton VS. Cathy Ames (2/2)

• Cathy Ames:Cathy Ames is Samuel Hamilton’s polar opposite. She murde

rs her parents, becomes a prostitute and brothel owner, enslaves her whores with drugs, encourages sadomasochistic sexual practices, and blackmails her customers. In contrast to Samuel, Cathy is associated with darkness and gloom.

Both the innate goodness of Samuel Hamilton and the inherent evil of Cathy Ames deeply influence Adam Trask, and throughout the novel he wavers between the two poles. He loves his wife Cathy even when he is confronted with her evil nature, but also deeply admires his teacher and mentor, Samuel.





Left Picture: The cover of East of Eden says, “The book that created Cathy—the most evil woman in fiction.” (http://open.salon.com/blog/mothership/2009/08/16/fantasy_osland_library)

East of Eden DVD (2009 ed.)

EAST OF EDEN MINI-SERIES DVD - JANE SEYMOUR

The True ‘First’ World War Happened Between Brothers:

• Genesis 4:1-16, Abel VS. Cain (“A” VS. “C.” (1))


• The First Generation － Adam VS. Charles (“A” VS. “C” (2))


Aron (Left): “A” type person,takes after Adam

Cal (middle): “C” type person, takes after Charles

• The Second Generation － Aron VS. Caleb (“A” VS. “C” (3))

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Returning Back to East of Eden (—by John Ernst Steinbeck)

Aron VS.CalAron was beaten by Cal


by John Ernst Steinbeck)

• The order of brothers in East of Eden VS. the order of brothers in Genesis—

Adam: “I did not kill my brother” (Ch. 22)① In Genesis, Cain (elder brother) killed Abel (younger brother)② In East of Eden, the first generation, Charles (younger brother) almost

killed Adam (elder brother).③ In East of Eden, the second generation, Cal (younger brother) “killed” Aron

indirectly.

The Mark of Cain

• Three “A” VS. “C”, Some of the Biblical Parallels:

Steinbeck's allusion to Cain and Abel is furthered by the naming of the Trask family: The first letters of the names of the brothers are in match throughout the generations (Charles and Adam, Caleb and Aron).

A Faith According to the Bible, A Marvelous Literature Design—

Book of Genesis, Cain

and Abel

East of Eden, Charles and Adam East of Eden, Caleb and Aron

Cain is a "worker of the ground"; Abel is a "keeper of sheep" (Gen. 4:2, ESV).

Charles is a farmer who works diligently even after he inherits considerable wealth from his father, Cyrus.

Caleb invests in bean crops. Aron vies to become a priest (who are commonly compared with shepherds).

God rejects Cain's gift of crops in favor of Abel's lamb (Gen. 4:3, ESV).

Cyrus prefers the gift from his son Adam (a stray puppy he found) over the gift from his other son Charles (a hard-earned expensive knife).

Adam rejects his son Cal's money and would rather he lead a good life like Aron.

After rejection from God, Cain kills Abel (Gen. 4:8, ESV).

After being rejected by their father, Charles attacks Adam and beats him nearly to death.

After Adam rejects Caleb's money, Caleb informs Aron of their mother's brothel. Aron, distraught, enlists in the war and is killed in combat.

God put a mark on Cain to deter others from killing him (Gen. 4:15, ESV).

Charles receives a dark scar on his forehead while trying to move a boulder from his fields.

Caleb is described as having a more dark and sinister appearance than Aron. Also noteworthy is the fact that Adam tells Caleb, "timshel," meaning "thou mayest." This implies Caleb may overcome his evil nature because of the "mark" put upon him by Adam.

Cain is the only one with progeny.

Charles is the only one with children, as it is speculated that the twins Aron and Caleb are his.

Aron dies in the war, and Caleb is the only one able to carry on and have children.

15

Major Theme of East of Eden

A. East of Eden, sharing the teaching of the Bible as literature, combines narrative theology and narrative literature together.① Returning back to the first four chapters of the Bible, East of Eden

explores the original of man and patriarchal society.② There are biblical parallels and contrasts in East of Eden; in other

words, the entire book is John Steinbeck’s exegesis of Genesis 4:1-16.

③ From my perspective, often raising a hidden, but keen question, “What is Man?”East of Eden creates imagery and plots interwoven with thoughts of the creation, salvation and revolution of the lord, the power of sin, the accuse of man’s consciousness, the quest for love, the capacity for self-destruction, as well as the self-defense of human’s inner soul etc.

B. The Sins of the Father① The book is keep questioning Psalm 79:8:”Do not remember the

iniquities of own forefathers against us.”② The crime and punishment of the first generation.③ The crime and punishment of the second generation.

C. TimshelD. Good VS. Evil E. Truth etc。

2009/11/25 16Returning Back to East of Eden (─ by John Ernst Steinbeck)

① The concept of this Hebrew word, “Timshel”, is a major thematic concern throughout the novel. “timshel” means, “You may”(“You may”(conquer sin.)).This word conveys a faith that man can refuse evil and return back to goodness when man relies on the lord.

② This word is from Genesis 4:7: “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you ‘must’(‘timshel’) master it.”

③ The discussion of this biblical word is in Chapter 24 ─ The verb in Genesis 4:7: “…and thou shalt rule over him(sin)” is a tough verb. John Steinbeck, in order to explore the exact meaning of the verb, checked two English versions─ “you shall rule over”(KJV) and “You should rule over”(ASB), also, the original meaning of Hebrew: “you may rule over.” Then Steinbeck took the original Hebrew verb: “timshel” as the best one. Lee, as a representative of the wisdom of Chinese(or Oriental people ), claims Steinbeck’s exciting and fantastic viewpoint, “ …And this was the gold from our mining : ‘Thou mayest. ’ ‘Thou mayest rule over sin.’ ” “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. …” “Now, there are many millions…who feel the order, ‘Do thou,’… And there are millions more who feel predestination in ‘Thou shalt.’ But ‘Thou mayest’ ! Why, that makes a man great, that gives him stature with the gods,…”

2009/11/25Returning Back to East of Eden

(─ by John Ernst Steinbeck)17

Timshel (1/2)

The special reference─John Steinbeck’s Journal of a Novel:The East of Eden Letters(“Timshel”is carved in the wooden cover of this book.)

(─www.bookstellyouwhy.com/details.php?URLPAIR=... )

http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/details.php?URLPAIR=&record=14822

http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/details.php?URLPAIR=&record=14822

④ The idea of ‘timshel’ is particularly pertinent at the end of the novel, during Adam’s death scene (Ch.55)─

Lee’s breath whistled in his throat. “Adam, give him your blessing. Don’t leave him alone with his guilt. Adam, can you hear me? Give him your blessing”!

A terrible brightness shone in Adam’s eyes and he closed them and… Lee said, “Help him, Adam─ Help him. Give him his chance. Let him be free. That’s all a man has over the beasts. Free him! Bless him!” The whole bed seemed to shake under the concentration. Adam’s breath came

quick with his effort and then, slowly, his right hand lifted─ lifted an inch and then fell

back. Lee’s face was haggard. He moved to the head of the bed…Lee whispered,

“Thank you, Adam─ thank you,…Can you move your lips? Make your lips form his name.” Adam looked up with sick weariness. His lips parted and failed and tried again. Then his lungs filled. He expelled the air and his lips combed the rushing sign. His whispered word seemed to hang in the air: “Timshel!” His eyes closed and he slept (The end)

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Timshel (2/2)

Returning Back to East of Eden (─ by John Ernst Steinbeck)

Caleb (Cal): A Rebirth of Biblical Character

1. A Character of Cain (Genesis 4) and Cain-Abel Syndrome (Genesis 4)2. A Conflict Between Twins (Genesis 25)3. A Type Of Jacob and Jacob’s Life (Genesis 30,32)4. A Prodigal Son (Luke15)

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Jacob kissed EsauJacob exchanged red stew with Esau’s birthright.

The Return of the Prodigal Son


Conclusion

• In East of Eden, John Steinbeck has pointed out through the young hero, Cal, that God has great love and unconditional grace, and also man is given personal moral choice and responsibility.

─ God’s love and grace: Cal is wise enough to make money (as Jacob), finds his mother first, and then he gains his father’s blessing eventually.

─ Cal’s spiritual leap: His own moral decision and choice: Cal said, “I was afraid I had you in me.”→ ”No, I haven’t.

I’m my own. I don’t have to be you.”(Ch.39)

2009/11/25 20Returning Back to East of Eden

(─ by John Ernst Steinbeck)

The Ambiguity of ‘East of Eden’ and It’s Worldly Influence (1/2)

The Ambiguity of the name of ‘East of Eden’A. The place of Nod

B. East of Eden: John Steinbeck’s novelC. East of Eden: 1955 movie (according to Steinbeck’s novel)D. East of Eden: 1981 miniseries (according to Steinbeck’s novel)E. East of Eden: An Rock Team in EnglandF. East of Eden: Music Group: An American Music GroupG. East of Eden: 2008 Korean TV SeriesH. East of Eden: 2009 DVD series (the most faithful series according

to Steinbeck’s novel)


③ The Worldly Influence of East of Eden:A. The RebelB. The Brief Introduction of Korean Series, East of Eden.

2009/11/25 22

The Ambiguity of ‘East of Eden’ and It’s Worldly Influence (2/2)

James Dean

On June 24, 1996, the US Postal Service

honored James with a stamp in the “Legends of Hollywood” series.

Korean Series, East of Eden


‘We are Cain’s Children.’(Ch.22) VS. Timshel

2009/11/25 23

Handmade oil painting reproduction of Cain, No. 21 The Conscience, from The Legend of the Centuries by Victor Hugo, 1859, 1880, a painting by Fernand-Anne Piestre Cormon.

( －www.1st-art-gallery.com/Fernand-Anne-Piestre-...)

"Timshel" = "Thou mayest" in hebrew on my right wrist. From the incredible East Of Eden. May be going back to the tattoo shop tomorrow for a Mystery Science Theater tattoo....

(─http://community.livejournal.com/literarytattoos/662352.html)


http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Fernand-Anne-Piestre-Cormon/Cain,-No.-21-The-Conscience,-From-The-Legend-Of-The-Centuries-By-Victor-Hugo,-1859,-1880.html

http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Fernand-Anne-Piestre-Cormon/Cain,-No.-21-The-Conscience,-From-The-Legend-Of-The-Centuries-By-Victor-Hugo,-1859,-1880.html

East of Eden Cover Pictures

2009/11/25 24Returning Back to East of Eden

(─ by John Ernst Steinbeck)

East of Eden: This is signed limited first edition

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This signed limited first edition came had dark green boards andcame in a slip case.

( － www.fedpo.com/BookDetail.php/East-Of-Eden )


http://www.fedpo.com/BookDetail.php/East-Of-Eden

Salinas Valley: Steinbeck’s New Eden


A List of Reference─

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( － http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_of_Eden) (p.2, p.6, p.15)

( － http://www.gradesaver.com/east-of-eden/study-guide/major-themes/) (p.8-9, p.16) ( － open.salon.com/.../08/16/fantasy_osland_library ) (p.11) ( － commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Titian_-_Cain...) (p. 12) ( － posteropolis.com/store/index.php?main_page=in...) (p.13) ( － commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_Daval...) (p.14)

( － http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=45866) (p.15) ( － www.bookstellyouwhy.com/details.php?URLPAIR=... ) (p.17) ( － www.movie-vault.com/forum/general-movie-discu...) (p.18) ( － www.oneyearbibleblog.com/2006/01/january_16th...) (p.19) ( － www.artbible.info/art/large/85.html) (p. 19) ( － www.nsdchurch.typepad.com/) (p. 19) ( － plum8981.pixnet.net/blog/42) (p.22) ( － bookmoochgirl.wordpress.com/) (p.24)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_of_Eden

http://www.gradesaver.com/east-of-eden/study-guide/major-themes/

http://open.salon.com/blog/mothership/2009/08/16/fantasy_osland_library

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Titian_-_Cain_and_Abel.JPG

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Wan-hua Tung 董挽華 : Returning Back to East of Eden (—by John Ernst Steinbeck)