Deception In John Steinbeck's East Of Eden
Children learn to pursue a pure conscience, close bonds of trust. and to cause commit no sins. This lesson repeats itself, all the way until adulthood, but many forget it as well. As a result, society turns to deceit to solve their issues for them. Others deceive themselves by living in a world of illusions, providing short-term bliss. That said, once the illusion crumbles, it also destroys him. Likewise, John Steinbeck explores the double-edged sword of deception in his novel East of Eden. Just as in society, many characters throughout the story appear innocent and sinless. Despite this initial virtuosity, Steinbeck’s East of Eden evinces humanity’s contrasting and inherent dependence upon selfish uses of deception without considering the …show more content…
But, like many others, she lacks the judgment necessary to recognize aftereffects. Cathy 's beauty entrances Mr. Edwards, who clings to the belief that her innocence is no mask. The narrator reveals that, “Love to a man like Mr. Edwards is a crippling emotion. It ruined his judgement, canceled his knowledge, weakened him" (96). With this in mind, Cathy lives a comfortable life, manipulating Mr. Edwards’ self-torturing love to pamper her and cater to her desires. Nonetheless, Cathy fails to delude him well enough, allowing him to see past her disguise to reveal the true, devil-like Cathy; her failure and poor foresight almost results in her death, and Mr. Edwards is the first to terrify her. Soon after her traumatic experience with Mr. Edwards, the Trask brothers take her in. Her beauty and frailness attracts Adam’s attention and sympathy, to which the narrator adds, “She needed protection and money. Adam could give her both. And she could control him—she knew that. She did not want to be married, but for the time being it was a refuge” (121). Cathy’s detachment allows her to exploit Adam, necessary for protection and the satisfaction that she thrives off of. Upon Adam and Cathy (Kate)’s next encounter, Adam renders Kate powerless by refusing to fall prey to her lures, saying, “It wouldn’t matter [at all]—even if [your lies] were true” (235), and …show more content…
Even though Cathy’s enticing beauty and innocent facade along with Adam’s strong morals and kind soul insinuate virtuous character, both succumb to deception. While Cathy exploited others for pleasure and Adam for an idyllic world, both suffered as much as the other for failing to recognize what the outcome of their deception would have been. As in everyday society, people confront and attempt to handle deception in their personal or work-related lives—even the innocent and unsuspecting. They lie for satisfaction or status or to themselves, such selfish endeavors, without consideration that what small pleasures they experience only last
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