East Of Eden Character Analysis

In East of Eden, John Steinbeck introduces Adam as young, naive boy whose graciousness leads him to be ill-treated by both his father, brother, and future wife. Adam’s refinement and ability to have empathy for others cause him to be physically weaker compared to his brother and to have a mindset that opposes brutality. Adam is unable to see how corrupt his father truly is, unlike his brother Charles, whose naturally dark and violent temperament allows him to see Cyrus’ true form. Similarly, when Adam and Charles finds an extremely battered Cathy, Adam sees her as pure and holy figure, unable in any circumstance, to taint his perfect image of her, while Charles realizes Cathy’s real motives and deception instantly. The relationship between Adam and Cathy quickly becomes one of fantasized and fabricated love.
Adam sees Cathy as a pure figure, …show more content…
Adam, fresh from the the war with the Indians, spends years avoiding his return to his family’s farm. Whether it is that Adam would rather prefer to avoid any conversations with Charles or that he alternatively seeks to escape from any memory of his father’s dominance in his life. Therefore, when Adam finally returns home to Charles, Adam is restless and plans to leave the farm soon. When Cathy is found on the doorstep of Adam and Charles’ home, Adam is immediately taken away by Cathy’s unique qualities and physically weak stature. Adam becomes blinded by love in a series of days as Cathy seduces him for protection as seen in the quote, “Perhaps Adam did not see Cathy at all, so lighted was she by his eyes. Burned in his mind was an image