East of Eden

A monster defines “a person who excites horror by wickedness, cruelty, etcetera.” This idea mainly shines through the character of Cathy Ames, a true monster. She lacks all sense of morals and displays this by causing many evils and harm to every being she encounters. Throughout the novel East of Eden, the author, John Steinbeck, demonstrates evil as an innate characteristic which only grows over time due to an amplifying lust for power.

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.

Cathy Ames despises drinking alcohol because of the feeling the beverage gives her. A reaction overcomes her “which neither she or [others]” can control (9...

... middle of paper ...

... she needs to decide quickly and surely, and does so with confidence. Therefore Cathy does retain a decisive personality, but not when the matters relate to morals. Near the end of the novel, Cathy longs to better herself but physically cannot, so she resorts to suicide, indicating how much desperation and self-hatred she harbors in her heart.

Catherine Ames lives as a cruel, scheming, sadistic creature who knows how to manipulate others into doing any act she desires. Cathy destroys lives without penance. She acts as the embodiment of pure wickedness, driven by low self-esteem, desperation, and a love of power. Since she possesses no conscience, Cathy does not allow herself an honest choice at which path to go down throughout her life. Steinbeck uses her character to describe how society becomes blinded by the need for control, while some may just be born blind.