How Does Steinbeck Present Love In East Of Eden

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Pages: 3

Throughout his acclaimed novel, East of Eden, author John Steinbeck uses the pasts of his characters to foreshadow their future pursuits, desires, and general outlooks. The given passage explores Adam’s identity in relation to love. Readers immediately perceive Adam as naturally observant and even curious about others, especially those who have enigmatic personalities. His step-mother, Alice, is described as a nearly emotionless women, going through life without anger, laughter, or sadness. As Adam studies her in his early years, he notices the smile that is always drawn on her lips and her shameless “wantonness” when she walks around naked. Steinbeck begins with a factual and objective description of Alice, and gradually shifts into