John Steinbecks East of Eden - Good Versus Evil Essay

Good Versus Evil in East of Eden The idea of good versus evil is illustrated in several ways in John Steinbecks East of Eden. This is seen through the external conflicts in the novel, the internal conflicts of the characters, and a universal understanding of the battle between good and evil. External conflicts between the main characters, Cathy and Adam, reflect the idea of good versus evil in their relationship. Cathy, who is much like Satan, creates a huge fight between Adam and his brother Charles with her manipulations. Later, she ruins Adams dreams and breaks his heart when she shoots him and leaves, sending Adam into a deep depression. After twelve years, Adam snaps out of his dream world and confronts Cathy.†¦show more content†¦(Lee is Adams Chinese servant, who really is a main character in this novel). Lees mother dies as a result of a rape by railway workers who she had hidden her gender and later her pregnancy from. The same men who raped Lees mother help take care of him as he grows up. The taking care of the infant Lee is seen as a light in a very dark world. Another way the idea of good versus evil is expressed is by the internal conflicts of the characters. Cathy is good example of a character that has an inner conflict of good versus evil. Cathy, the most evil of all in this novel, kills her parents, manipulates Adam and Charles, attempts to abort her children, shoots Adam, abandons her twin sons once they are born, and murders Faye, her friend and boss. However, the good in Cathy overcomes the bad. By the end of the novel she becomes religious and she leaves all of her fortune to her son. Charles is also a good example of a character struggling with inner conflict. Whenever Adam beats him in a game, Charles becomes very abusive towards him; once he almost kills Adam. However, Charles also protects Adam from others and he does, in fact, love him. He fought any boy who ... slurred Adam and ... protected Adam from his fathers harshness (Steinbeck 491). Adam is forced to join the service and is sent to war, Charles tries to keep in touch with him by writing letters. InShow MoreRelatedThe Significance of Sibling Rivalry in Steinbecks East of Eden1400 Words   |  6 Pages East of Eden 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 conceptRead MoreThe Conflict Between Good And Bad1345 Words   |  6 PagesIn my research paper on Steinbeck’s East of Eden, I will be discussing the conflict between good and bad. 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