Allusions In East Of Eden

EAST OF EDEN In the book, East of Eden, by John Steinbeck has many allusions to the bible throughout the story. There are Charles and Adam, Aron and Cal, who relate closely to the bible characters Cain and Abel. Steinbeck has many allusions to the story, but he also strays away from the bible story. In the book, Charles becomes jealous of Adam because their dad favored Adam the most. Mr. Trask liked Adam gift that was a puppy over Charles gift, an expensive knife. John Steinbeck is following the bible story of Cain and Abel only with different gifts. Charles is more closely related to Cain from the bible because Cain was jealous of his brother Abel because God favored Abel’s gift of a lamb over his gift of grain. Steinbeck strays away from the bible story because Charles did not kill his brother, but left him ten thousand dollars.
They become the “Cain and Abel” throughout the story. As relating to Cain, Cal takes on his role, while Aron is Abel. Cal is jealous of his brother Aron because he is seemingly perfect. Cal does not directly kill Aron, but Aron gets killed because of Cal. Adam asks Cal where Aron has gone, and Cal’s response was, “Am I supposed to look out for him?” After murdering Abel, God questions Cain about where Abel is, and Cain answered, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Steinbeck strays away from the biblical story because Cal tells Aron that their mother is still alive and is living as a prostitute. Hearing this destroys Aron causing him to enlist into the Army during World War 1. Aron dies in France. In the bible Cain physically kills his brother, and Cal indirectly kills him. God sent Cain to live in Nod, East of Eden and he cursed him. In the book, Cal realizes that he can overcome his sin, and he is forgiven by his