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East of Eden Essays
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East of Eden Essays
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If you’re looking for a good book to read in the summer, why not consider a book called East of Eden? Among its many features, this topical collection of essays from renowned authors, John Steinbeck’s classic novel explores the nature of man’s struggle against evil. Its flaw is probably not its most interesting element, but the flaw adds to the story’s authenticity, since a perfect story would be a fabricated dream.
While the essays are varied, a central theme is the notion of place and its relation to literature. West of Eden, for example, assumes that Canada consists of different regions and therefore includes work by Canadian writers from the Western part of the country. While literary regionalism has long been a part of the Western Canadian literary scene, it is problematic in larger critical discourses. Critics have accused the book of romanticizing the region and reducing the concept of place to a purely sentimental or idealized one.
The book contains twelve essays, each focusing on a different aspect of the setting. Some examine the biblical allegory and parallels in EoE. Other essays focus on the setting of Eden as a metaphor or biblical parable. While many essays are related by theme, theory, or content, others are disorganized in this way, signifying ongoing discussion. The essays are organized by theme, but are not arranged alphabetically.
Michael J. Meyer, a Steinbeck scholar and professor, compiled a series of new essays on East of Eden to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the novel’s publication. Meyer also addresses the diverse themes in Steinbeck’s works. He also analyzes the film adaptation by Elia Kazan. The essays in this collection will be of interest to Steinbeck scholars, literary critics, and the casual reader alike. So, if you’re interested in John Steinbeck’s masterpiece, you should give this book a try. You’ll be glad you did.
East of Eden is a retelling of Cain and Abel and is a complex and layered novel. John Steinbeck draws parallels between the story of Adam and Cain in the Bible, and this novel emphasizes the themes of power over one’s actions, as well as good and evil. The plot also offers a compelling exploration of morality and the nature of love. There are plenty of East of Eden essays to read and consider!