John Steinbeck Playlist: ua-cam.com/video/HGkyk_RsUXM/v-deo.html Support Us: www.patreon.com/thecodexcantina TABLE OF CONTENTS 0:00 Spoiler Free 7:12 Plot Summary 10:48 Spoiler Chat 32:25 Wrap Up and Ratings
16 verses barely tells us anything, yet at the same time perfectly sums up the entirety of the human condition. East of Eden is such an AMAZING novel that I never would have gotten around to if you didn't host the read-along. Thanks!
So glad we could experience it too! What an amazing book! I had a feeling it would be great but since no one else seemed to really talk about it it was low on the priority list. Now I know I need to talk about it more for others :D
Just finished reading East of Eden and was so happy to watch your video. My friends had a son and used Timshel as his middle name. Thank you for the discussion! I especially appreciated the thoughts on how the Hamiltons added so much humanity and deepened the story’s look into the Trasks.
My favorite novel of his. First book to really mess me up. Every time I've read it, Lee has been my favorite character, as he's obviously the heart of the story, but Cathy is my other favorite character. I've always been sympathetic to her, despite being a total monster. I've always thought that she's probably twisted in the head, but there are expectations on her(as well as that creep teacher) as a young girl/woman that she doesn't want, and this pushes her to test boundaries. She's also tempted people, but a lot of people choose poorly when it comes to her. She chooses a life of evil, except maybe at the end...Each time I've read it, I've flipped on whether she meant to cause one more source of pain with her final actions with the money, or was it meant as a genuine act for redemption?
I absolutely LOVE this book, and I enjoyed hearing your thoughts in this video. I've always thought that the character of Cathy Ames was a representation of John's ex-wife. Through this character, John was trying to understand WHY she would do the things she did. Even though Cathy does bad things, Steinbeck clearly notes that she is kind of lost in the world. And perhaps that ties back in to choice. Lots to think about.
The fall of the Hamilton family is quite sad in the story as well. Here was Sam holding the world and his family together and by the end they were all over California no longer together or really close. I thought there was kind of a second death to Samuel's spirit when Tom rode back to the ranch after his sisters death. It felt fatal coming to the end of the novel and that was the last of the Hamilton family in the story other than Will who was a capitalist, completely opposite to Sam's legacy.
Great chat! I can't agree more that this story opened up the concept of 'What is Free Will' when applied to the Book of Genesis. I hadn't considered the distribution of wealth commentary but that makes sense as it's in so many of his works. Keep it up, gents.
This is the book that is going to make me love Steinbeck right? I am planning on reading this in December, so I may not finish this video, but will hang it for a while to get a taste of what to expect.
so sad that he was "cancelled" by his community to the point where they withheld his war rations when they decided to be pissed about how he portrayed them in Grapes of Wrath
Cathy is the serpent, and this is the first summary where I've seen it mentioned. She kills herself when she realizes there's something missing in herself, maybe compassion or love or empathy.
Tom Hamilton, presumably John Steinbeck’s uncle, is never fully actualized and he burned his poems before he died. The self critic judges the person as good or evil.
This book is an amazing study about narcissists. Charles, his father, and Cathy are all narcissists with Cathy being the most dangerous kind. A malignant covert narcissists, in my opinion
His reasoning is interesting too. Will feels like the black sheep of his family. He knows he is no one's favorite. He recognizes himself in Cal and wants to help him gain that approval they both wish for.
Kate/Cathy was easily the best character. Every chapter in which she was featured was "unputdownable." She made no apologies for what she eas- an evil monster of a person.
...And then Cathy Ames shows up. We all know a Cathy. And, a nascar turn into capitalism! If you are going to cover Steinbeck! Haha great discussion, as always!
It means “thou mayest” which basically is the original translation from the Hebrew Bible while modern versions say “thou shalt” Thou mayest means you can make the choice to do it, overcome or indulge in sin, while thou shalt is a promise or a command that you will overcome sin. Adam saying ‘timshel’ basically means that Cal has a choice to either overcome his sinful nature or yield to it, like Cathy did. In some ways, it promotes that evilness in not inherited, that whether your mother/father was good or evil... you are not subject to be like them either way.
John Steinbeck Playlist: ua-cam.com/video/HGkyk_RsUXM/v-deo.html
Support Us: www.patreon.com/thecodexcantina
TABLE OF CONTENTS
0:00 Spoiler Free
7:12 Plot Summary
10:48 Spoiler Chat
32:25 Wrap Up and Ratings
16 verses barely tells us anything, yet at the same time perfectly sums up the entirety of the human condition. East of Eden is such an AMAZING novel that I never would have gotten around to if you didn't host the read-along. Thanks!
So glad we could experience it too! What an amazing book! I had a feeling it would be great but since no one else seemed to really talk about it it was low on the priority list. Now I know I need to talk about it more for others :D
Just finished reading East of Eden and was so happy to watch your video. My friends had a son and used Timshel as his middle name.
Thank you for the discussion! I especially appreciated the thoughts on how the Hamiltons added so much humanity and deepened the story’s look into the Trasks.
Ooooo, that’s so interesting about your friend! Glad you enjoyed the discussion 👍
My favorite novel of his. First book to really mess me up. Every time I've read it, Lee has been my favorite character, as he's obviously the heart of the story, but Cathy is my other favorite character. I've always been sympathetic to her, despite being a total monster. I've always thought that she's probably twisted in the head, but there are expectations on her(as well as that creep teacher) as a young girl/woman that she doesn't want, and this pushes her to test boundaries. She's also tempted people, but a lot of people choose poorly when it comes to her. She chooses a life of evil, except maybe at the end...Each time I've read it, I've flipped on whether she meant to cause one more source of pain with her final actions with the money, or was it meant as a genuine act for redemption?
It's a masterpiece! I'm finding I'm more open to Cathy than most. Glad to see I'm not alone on that!
I wondered about Cathy's motivation at the end, too! Steinbeck probably wanted us to wonder.
Was so excited to see Jennifer Lawrence as Cathy in the movie, but I think it didn’t come to fruition? It’s listed on google with no details.
I absolutely LOVE this book, and I enjoyed hearing your thoughts in this video. I've always thought that the character of Cathy Ames was a representation of John's ex-wife. Through this character, John was trying to understand WHY she would do the things she did. Even though Cathy does bad things, Steinbeck clearly notes that she is kind of lost in the world. And perhaps that ties back in to choice. Lots to think about.
Thanks, sir! It's been a very Steinbeck channel the last two weeks :D
This is my favorite Steinbeck novel! It may be time for a re-read! Nice discussion!
It's incredible! It's my new favorite now too!
The fall of the Hamilton family is quite sad in the story as well. Here was Sam holding the world and his family together and by the end they were all over California no longer together or really close. I thought there was kind of a second death to Samuel's spirit when Tom rode back to the ranch after his sisters death. It felt fatal coming to the end of the novel and that was the last of the Hamilton family in the story other than Will who was a capitalist, completely opposite to Sam's legacy.
Sad indeed!
I recommend the 1981 TV version of the book, which follows the book very closely. It's available on DVD.
Just finished this up and thought it was amazing. It was my first Steinbeck, and certainly won’t be the last. Really enjoyed this discussion!
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy next read!
Lovely book and a great discussion here. Thank you
My pleasure!
Excellent discussion. Thank you for your insight.
Thanks for the kind words
Great chat! I can't agree more that this story opened up the concept of 'What is Free Will' when applied to the Book of Genesis. I hadn't considered the distribution of wealth commentary but that makes sense as it's in so many of his works. Keep it up, gents.
Thanks for sharing!
Cal struggled with his impulse to be mean. He didn’t have self control.
This is the book that is going to make me love Steinbeck right? I am planning on reading this in December, so I may not finish this video, but will hang it for a while to get a taste of what to expect.
If this one doesn't, none of them will.
Going to have to echo Lucas here. It's his masterpiece and knocked my socks off.
How did it go!
Excellent discussion on my favorite book!
❤️
This one's been on my TBR for a while!
Saving the best for last!
@@TheCodeXCantina I don't know, there's a lot of Steinbeck :D
so sad that he was "cancelled" by his community to the point where they withheld his war rations when they decided to be pissed about how he portrayed them in Grapes of Wrath
Cathy is the serpent, and this is the first summary where I've seen it mentioned. She kills herself when she realizes there's something missing in herself, maybe compassion or love or empathy.
Tom Hamilton, presumably John Steinbeck’s uncle, is never fully actualized and he burned his poems before he died. The self critic judges the person as good or evil.
I very much enjoyed the live stream w Lezlie a week ago. This is such a great American novel. WTG. Madam I'm Adam = palindrome!
Ha, nice palindrome
@@TheCodeXCantina Star Comedy By Democrats
Such a beautiful book. I agree with you guys, 10/10. Im glad I read it for the first time in my thirties...won't be the last either.
What Steinbeck should we read next?
@@TheCodeXCantina I'm on Ulysses now so that could be awhile 😊
@@johnlonergan7106 😂 That’s next years challenge for us
@@TheCodeXCantina I'll be sure to check in and hear your thoughts.
This book is an amazing study about narcissists. Charles, his father, and Cathy are all narcissists with Cathy being the most dangerous kind. A malignant covert narcissists, in my opinion
I’d watch a whole video dedicated to it for sure!
Will Hamilton helps Cal with the investment.
His reasoning is interesting too. Will feels like the black sheep of his family. He knows he is no one's favorite. He recognizes himself in Cal and wants to help him gain that approval they both wish for.
Kate/Cathy was easily the best character. Every chapter in which she was featured was "unputdownable." She made no apologies for what she eas- an evil monster of a person.
Indeed
...And then Cathy Ames shows up. We all know a Cathy. And, a nascar turn into capitalism! If you are going to cover Steinbeck! Haha great discussion, as always!
Thanks, Pae! Hope you are doing well! Looking forward to your Stranger talk :D
Does timshel in the book mean " if you want you can do it?"
Almost. It means you have free will.
It means “thou mayest” which basically is the original translation from the Hebrew Bible while modern versions say “thou shalt”
Thou mayest means you can make the choice to do it, overcome or indulge in sin, while thou shalt is a promise or a command that you will overcome sin.
Adam saying ‘timshel’ basically means that Cal has a choice to either overcome his sinful nature or yield to it, like Cathy did.
In some ways, it promotes that evilness in not inherited, that whether your mother/father was good or evil... you are not subject to be like them either way.
The film adaptation ignored the Hamilton plot and was still a compelling story.
Try the 1981 version.
Choice, free will vs restrictions of religion.
Do you think non Americans would be able to appreciate it as much as Americans?
I can’t really speak to that.
Absolutely, I'm from Europe and it's my all time favourite book. Good writing is universally appreciated.
But Cathy left her will to the good son.
Una death made me cry…
Death will do that
ughh dessies and toms death made me cry
So I’m guessing this book is a little depressing
No, it's life-affirming.