"He who has never envied the vegetable has missed the human drama," E.M. Cioran. Human character can be described as sensitive, charismatic, cunning, evil, and even animalistic. There are many instances in Steinbeck's East of Eden when the characters' actions are interpreted using Biblical stories or situations. In John Steinbeck's novel, East of Eden, his incorporation of Biblical stories aides in his scrutiny and interpretation of human nature. By using the story of Cain and Abel, along with the ever-popular translation of timshel, Steinbeck forces his readers to look at the characters he has developed in unusual ways.
The story of Cain and Abel is one strong Biblical reference used in the novel, East of Eden. …
