Relationship Between Good And Evil In East Of Eden

People have those voices in their heads that help make decisions; the devil and angel that sit on our shoulders fighting desperately to persuade us to hear their case. Both sides make a point, and which do people to pick; the angry one sporting the red or the decisive figure in white? The choice between consequence and reward is simple, but the battle between good and evil is not so easily ended. In the book, East of Eden, written by John Steinbeck, the common theme of good versus evil occurs within main character Adam Trask. Adam is surrounded by many positive and negative forces that truly shape the development of his character throughout the progression of the novel. Steinbeck uses symbolic characterization of Samuel Hamilton and Aron as

Samuel Hamilton is a poor farmer who raised nine children on little to no income. Despite the fact that his customers do not pay him money for his labor – blacksmithing, well digging – he is still gracious and kind to everyone he meets. He is highly respected in the community and very close to the Trask family. Later in the novel, when Adam and Cathy move west, Samuels joins for the purpose of helping Adam dig and build a well. After the betrayal from Cathy, Samuel attempts to assist and support Adam through his depression and raising of his children. As Samuel discusses with Adam about his parenting, Samuel states that,“The greatest terror of a child can have is that he is not loved, and rejection is the hell he fears. I think everyone in the world to a large or small extent has felt rejection” (Steinbeck 270). Being a mentor and disciplinarian throughout Adam’s life, it is common that throughout the novel, Samuel always gives useful advice to Adam. From the time they met, the tips and advice generally always connect directly to whatever conflict Adam seems to be facing at the time. At this point in the novel, Adam is so focused with the abandoning of his wife that he lacks the ability to raise his children. He displays no father-like qualities and Samuel realized that it was becoming a problem. He warns Adam of the negative consequences that will arise with his children if he cannot snap out of the depressed state he is in. This makes Adam come to some realization that he needs to change for the sake of his family. Samuel is also a very intelligent person despite poor business decisions in the past. As as a result, Samuel has become very familiar with the concepts of farming and land. Samuel began to realize that because Adam is still morose