Current Forum: "East of Eden" – Setting

I like your observation as to why Samuel became a water witch and a well digger. In respect to the surrounding mountains I felt as if Steinbeck was setting the stage for one of those classic good v. evil battles. He begins by detailing the beauty of the valley. He recalls the many wildflowers and explains how he used the surrounding mountains to determine direction. He describes the Gabilan Mountains to the east as light and friendly, whereas the Santa Lucia Mountains to the west were dark and apprehensive. It seems to me he has a thing for the “Ying and Yang”.

Steinbeck sets the stage for good versus evil, as in the bible. We are waiting to see if good will conquer evil throughout the book. We have the good in Samuel Hamilton and at the extreme end Cathy who chooses an evil path for her life.

In k...