Wealth In East Of Eden

“Being rich has nothing to do with where you live and the digits in your income, yet instead everything to do with how much you can appreciate the moments in life when the smallest things hold the greatest value” (Unknown). In East of Eden by John Steinbeck, Adam Trask and his half brother Charles grow up with a dark rivalry between them. Since Adam knows the struggle of having a brother, he should understand the difficulties that his twin sons, Cal and Aron, face. With help from Lee, the servant, and the Hamilton family, Adam has a journey of raising his sons alone after his wife, Cathy, is consumed by madness. Throughout the story, money plays a major role in determining what true wealth is, obscuring deeper desires and distinguishing a successful life from an unsuccessful life. Money is a sign of discontent with one’s life. In East of Eden, true wealth is shown in many different ways. …show more content…
Will Hamilton had felt his family was foolish in their intentions and not interested in money. “‘We had so many ideas we forgot to make money for groceries...and I’m the only one who ever made a dime’” (433). Will had wanted to make money and did not care for any fun unless he could make a profit. His father on the other hand had been content and successful in life. He kept his family happy and healthy, had many friendships and enjoyed his life fully. Samuel Hamilton is successful because after his death, he was remembered. “Was he loved or was he hated? Is his death felt as a loss or does a kind of joy come of it?...try so to live that our death brings no pleasure to the world” (412-413). Though most people desire money, one does not need money to be wealthy given that life brings happiness on its own time. East of Eden shows true wealth, money obscuring desires, and successful and unsuccessful lives. Money can be a factor in one’s life, but it should not dictate how one lives that