East O' Eden 51-75

Adam is discharged from the military, and afterwards longs for his regiment. He ends up going back. His attachment to something that typically requires aggression is curious given his earlier beatings by Charles, which gave the impression that he was certainly deficient in much aggression.
The relation between Adam and Charles enters a new phase with the death of Cyrus. With the death came a large sum of money; a fortune that surprises them. It is worth noting that the impression by this point is that the hostility between Adam and Charles seems to have gone away.

Steinbeck decided to throw in another character. Cathy Ames. She is an odd character who uses her sexuality to get two boys in a barn severely beaten. Yup.


What could be expected from the introduction of Cathy into the story?

East O' Eden. 26-50

Sibling rivalry makes up part of the second block of reading. Cyrus tells Adam that he loves him more than Charles. Charles becomes jealous. This jealousy is not at all eased by the birthday of Cyrus, where Adam's gift far exceeds that of Charles. Thus comes yet another beating of Adam by Charles. Further down the reading, Adam ends up entering the army, and Charles, partly out of punishment for his beating of Adam, works at the farm.

What could the scar on Charles' face mean for his future?

East of Eden

Beginning with a vivid description of the Salinas Valley, John Steinbecks East of Eden goes from the intricacies of the landscape, to the nature of families. Readers are introduced to Adam Trask. Adams father, Cyrus, a stern man and Civil War veteran, is contrasted with his wife, a devout woman who commits suicide. Adam's tumultuous life is further shown with his relations to his brother, Charles, who physically lashes out at him for beating him in a game. Another family, the Hamilton's are introduced; they are Irish immigrants. The wife, Liza, is a humble woman, and the husband, Samuel, is a hard-working fellow who has difficulty making ends meet.

How do the families compare/contrast with the surrounding landscape?

The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken" is an affirmation of the value of personal choice, and the reflection upon one's choice regarding one's life. Using the metaphor of two roads diverging, Frost expands the notion of choice upon the greater concept of life. In this representation, there are two roads: one being the more comfortable and attractive one, and the other the more rugged though possibly more beneficial path to take. The absolutism of making a choice of direction, that there is no turning back, pervades the poem. I liked it. Not verbose, not excessively emotional. Simple.

Question: Which road do you prefer?

Mythology.

Edith Hamilton's Mythology is a collection of the broad spectrum of ancient Greek, Roman and Norse mythological tales. Ranging from ancient creation stories to the Trojan war and beyond, the work is marked by varying themes depending on the tale at hand. The capriciousnesses of the god's was demonstrated throughout the collection; Zeus carelessly threw thunder bolts towards earth; Saturn ate his children. Conflict and overcoming obstacles was demonstrated in the stories of Hercules, the Trojan war, and just about all the tales regarding Hades. There was a tale regarding the lust for wealth: Midas turned everything gold. The collection of mythologies is simply full of themes.
I detest the reading of mythology, simple on the grounds that it is mythology and therefore irrelevant to anything. Sure, one can find "meaning" and moral lessons, but still, it's mythology. However, in my schizophrenic manner, I also find the work useful, since I can now use analogies to mythology.

What stories had the greatest relevance to you, as a person? (answer in vivid detail, and include a quote from an 80's television show or song lyric)