Through the underlying notion of choice that is threaded in the generations of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, Steinbeck’s East of Eden picks up the threads of the Genesis chapters to emphasizes the character’s ability to decide their fate—which is gifted and not chosen, in contrast to the markings of their C and A labels.
Para 1
“‘Don’t you see? He cried. ‘The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin, and you can call sin ignorance. The King James translation makes a promise in ‘Thou shalt,’ meaning that men will surely triumph over sin. But the Hebrew word, the word timshel— ‘Thou mayest’ —that gives choice…That throws it right back on the man. For if ‘Thou mayest’—it is also true that ‘Thou mayest not” (303). Lee
“And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Genesis 4:6-7).
Para 2
“I would have been so happy if you could have given me—well, what your brother has—pride in the thing he’s doing, gladness in his progress. Money, even clean money, doesn’t stack up with that” (544). Adam
“He couldn’t help it, Cal. That’s his nature. It was the only way he knew. He didn’t have any choice. But you have. Don’t you hear me? You have a choice” (544). Lee
“And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch” (Genesis 4:17).
“And his brother;s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ” (Genesis 4:21).
“If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold” (Genesis 4:24).
Para 3
“A panic for Aron arose in him…It was Aron who couldn’t take care of himself. Cal knew he had to bring Aron back, had to find him and build him back the way he had been. And this had to be done even though Cal sacrificed himself” (567).
“And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9).
Para 4
“Your son is marked with guilt out of himself…Help him, Adam—help him. Give him his chance. Let him be free. That’s all a man has over the beasts. Free him! Bless Him!” (602). Lee
“Timshel!” (602). Adam
“And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden” (Genesis 4:16).