A farmer’s son, a cheating husband, and a college dropout walk into a bar. The bartender says, “Back already, Mr. Steinbeck?” Though Steinbeck wasn’t an alcoholic, the circumstance in which he lived through would have made alcoholism understandable. Dealing with the Depression and acting as a war correspondent on the front lines during World War II, Steinbeck managed to keep a level head (and level pen) and make his mark on the world. Throughout his life, Steinbeck observed a multitude of things concerning society and its odd ways of coping and acting. One of those observations was society’s reliance on the past and its unwillingness, yet necessity, to accept change and move forward into the future. This perception has had a subtle influence…show more content… As Steinbeck, and most Americans of the time, were of some Christian denomination, his characters were redeemed via biblical standards in order to appeal to his audience. Ironically, in East of Eden, Cal receives redemption and forgiveness from his father Adam through a Hebrew word, “Timshel!” or “Thou mayest” (#). Through this word, Cal, a loner hero, is relieved of the pain that the indirect murdering of his brother caused him, giving him the opportunity to move forward with his life. It is curious, however, how Cal, the “hero” can relate strongly to two different biblical villains. “Adults were impressed with what seemed to them a precocious maturity, and they were a little frightened at it too. No one liked Cal much . . .” Steinbeck notes, furthering Cal’s position as nearly villainous by describing him as an overall dark person (East of Eden 421). The most obvious comparison between characters from the Bible and from East of Eden are Cal as Cain, as both murdered their brother and were punished for such a horrendous crime. However, Cal is also a subtly Judas, as he betrays his father’s trust to make money off of World War I and Cal’s actions lead to his father’s eventual death. Yet both Cal and Judas are forgiven by their Jesus for their actions. For some people, however, reading the Bible and following it is enough to acquire redemption. For others, a more human touch is
