Can anyone help me find some allusions in East of Eden (besides the whole Cain and Abel thing)? ?

Question

Thanks!

Answer 1

The allusion to Cain and Abel is HUGE - the main focus of the book. There are many aspects of the allusion to the biblical story of Cain and Abel and many comparisons to be made.

For example, in Genesis, Cain worked the soil, and in East of Eden, Cal invests in bean crops. In Genesis, Abel keeps the flocks, and in East of Eden, Aron wants to become a priest (often compared with shepherds).

In Genesis, after rejection from God, Cain kills Abel. In East of Eden, after his father rejects Cal's money, Cal informs Aron of his mother's brothel, causing Aron to enlist in war and be killed in combat (so Cal inadvertently killed Aron.)

I know this may not really answer your question, since you said BESIDES Cain and Abel... but that is pretty much the entire book. The allusion is a lot larger than many people realize.