Caleb Trask Character Analysis

Motivation comes from the heart! Like the character Caleb Trask, in the novel, East of Eden, that is written by John Steinbeck. Caleb and his twin brother Aaron Trask are abandoned by their mother, Catherine Trask and left with their father Adam Trask. All the names that are in this novel that start with A or C is an allusion to the story of Cain and Abel. Steinbeck originally wrote the novel, East of Eden, for his two sons. Cal’s main motivations are selfish, but pure because they drive him forward. The main motivations that drive Cal forward are being understood, trying to be like Abel and receiving Adam’s paternal love.
Stuck in the shadow of a greater presence is hard to be seen and understood. Steinbeck writes,” Aron drew love from …show more content…
After Adam learns that Aron tests out of the twelfth grade and goes to college a year earlier, Adam brags to Lee and with pride about Aron says, “’I guess you’re right. Do you know, Lee? ____ I’m proud of him. Terribly proud. This makes me feel good. I wish Cal had some ambition’” (Steinbeck 488). Steinbeck writes the word proud twice, which shows Adam is not proud, but beyond proud for Aron. After saying all the commendable accomplishment that Aron achieves, Adam denigrates Cal to nothing and wishes that Cal has more life in him, even though Cal shows the most love and affection towards Adam. Cal goes into the bean business with Will Hamilton to make money to buy his father’s love. In the end the piece that is supposed to cheer up Adam gives Cal a backhanded response, because Adam did not accept Cal’s money, which shows that Adam gave most of his love to Aron. While Aron and Cal are hunting Aron shoots a rabbit and Cal wants to give it to Adam, but Aron ends up giving the rabbit to Abra Bacon. Therefore, ends the idea of showing off the skills that they both have to their father, which takes the spotlight away from Cal and Adam’s fondness towards Cal. In the end Cal did not receive what he wants the most, to be understood and